Want to dispense prescription drugs from your office? Consider these issues

Several readers have asked about the ability of optometrists to dispense prescription medications from the practice. One major benefit of doing so is that it is much easier for most patients to obtain their medications quickly and efficiently, rather than make an additional trip to the pharmacy. In my research, here is what I have found.

DETERMINING YOUR ELIGIBILITY

In most states, optometrists are permitted to administer and prescribe ocular pharmaceutical agents for the diagnosis and treatment of ocular conditions of the eye and its appendages.

In many states, optometrists are also permitted, if registered appropriately and authorized by law, to dispense these same drugs to their patients in the regular course of their practice. This means that optometrists in these states, as part of their practice, are allowed to sell the drugs they are permitted by law to prescribe. To learn more, consult with your state board of optometry to determine your state’s laws regarding drug dispensing.

The process by which an optometrist is permitted to dispense drugs may differ from state to state. In some cases, the optometrist must first register with the state board of optometry as a dispensing practitioner and pay a fee.

FOLLOWING APPLICABLE LAWS

In many cases, once an optometrist becomes a dispensing practitioner, they must comply with all laws and rules applicable to pharmacists and pharmacies. In Florida, for example, before dispensing any drug, the dispensing practitioner must give the patient a written prescription and, orally or in writing, advise the patient that the prescription may be filled in the practitioner’s office or at any pharmacy.

Also, before dispensing a controlled substance to a person not known by the dispenser, the practitioner must require the person purchasing, receiving or otherwise acquiring the controlled substance to present a valid photographic identification or other verification of their identity.

UNDERSTANDING SAMPLE RULES

It is important to remember that even if a practitioner only dispenses complimentary packages of medicinal drugs (which are labeled as drug samples) to the practitioners’ own patients in the regular course of their practice without payment, there are still rules that apply. For instance, in Florida, a dispensed drug must contain the manufacturer’s label with the practitioner’s name, patient’s name and date dispensed. If the manufacturer’s label is not contained on the drug, then the drug must also contain the name and strength of the drug and directions for its use.

OPPORTUNITIES AHEAD

There will be more opportunities in the near future for eye care providers to not only prescribe medications needed by their patients, but also to dispense them from their practice. Knowing the rules for your state will help you to better serve your patients quickly and, with little effort, to obtain the medications that are much needed in office. OM

 

 

Submit questions for future “Coding Strategy” columns to Dr. Jasper at april.jasper@pentavisionmedia.com.

DR. JASPER practices in West Palm Beach, Fla.. She is an American Academy of Optometry fellow and is chief optometric editor of Optometric Management. Email her at april.jasper@pentavisionmedia.com.