Joe Ayling: Blue light at the end of the tunnel

News of Boots Opticians landing a £40,000 fine for bogus blue light adverts (In Focus) underlines there is no place for scaremongering in the profession.

It is nearly two years since the multiple agreed to remove the print adverts, which claimed blue light from screens caused retinal deterioration over time. The prolonged period since only highlights the GOC’s shortcomings in speeding up the FTP process.

In the meantime, an undercover investigation by Watchdog found instances of ‘frightening’ advice being offered to some patients in Boots branches. The resulting headlines did the profession no favours either.

Although £40,000 might be a drop in the ocean of Walgreens Boots Alliance’s profits, it is just £10,000 short of the maximum GOC fine. In terms of severity, therefore, this is a four out of five.