Over 50 percent of Victoria's optometrists are endorsed
Over 50 percent of optometrists in Victoria are currrently have their registration endorsed for the prescription of ocular therapeutics. In all other States and Territories, optometrists are now able to prescribe. Prescribing is enabled under the national health practitioners' registration legislation.
Which items can we prescribe?
For a full list of ocular therapeutics approved by the Optometry Board of Australia click on the link to the National Therapeutics List at the left.
Endorsed optometrists can prescribe any of these drugs in most Australian States, however, we advise you check with the State Division in any other State/Territory you might work in, due to one or two minor variances.
Optometrists and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
Most medications able to be prescribed by optometrists are also available to eligible patients through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). There are a small number of exceptions. To prescribe glaucoma medications on the PBS, you need to be working in a shared care arrangement with an ophthalmologist, for each patient you are co-managing. To be able to prescribe under the PBS, you need:
- a prescriber number;
- access to the Schedule of Optometric Items; and
- authorised prescribing stationery.
To apply to become a prescriber, order stationery or to find out more, please follow the link for PBS Forms and Info, at left.
Can I advertise that I am therapeutically endorsed?
If you are designing business materials like letterheads or cards, you may indicate to your patients or colleagues that you are therapeutically endorsed. The recommended terminology is Ophthalmic Medicines Prescriber.
If you gained your therapeutic endorsement through postgraduate study, you may also want to include the abbreviated title of the degree. The abbreviation for the qualification from the University of Melbourne is: PGCertOcTher.
Optometrists not to sell scheduled medicines
The Optometry Board of Australia provides a guideline indicating optometrists should not sell any scheduled medicines.
Over 50 percent of Victoria's optometrists are endorsed
Over 50 percent of optometrists in Victoria are currrently have their registration endorsed for the prescription of ocular therapeutics. In all other States and Territories, optometrists are now able to prescribe. Prescribing is enabled under the national health practitioners' registration legislation.
Which items can we prescribe?
For a full list of ocular therapeutics approved by the Optometry Board of Australia click on the link to the National Therapeutics List at the left.
Endorsed optometrists can prescribe any of these drugs in most Australian States, however, we advise you check with the State Division in any other State/Territory you might work in, due to one or two minor variances.
Optometrists and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
Most medications able to be prescribed by optometrists are also available to eligible patients through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). There are a small number of exceptions. To prescribe glaucoma medications on the PBS, you need to be working in a shared care arrangement with an ophthalmologist, for each patient you are co-managing. To be able to prescribe under the PBS, you need:
- a prescriber number;
- access to the Schedule of Optometric Items; and
- authorised prescribing stationery.
To apply to become a prescriber, order stationery or to find out more, please follow the link for PBS Forms and Info, at left.
Can I advertise that I am therapeutically endorsed?
If you are designing business materials like letterheads or cards, you may indicate to your patients or colleagues that you are therapeutically endorsed. The recommended terminology is Ophthalmic Medicines Prescriber.
If you gained your therapeutic endorsement through postgraduate study, you may also want to include the abbreviated title of the degree. The abbreviation for the qualification from the University of Melbourne is: PGCertOcTher.
Optometrists not to sell scheduled medicines
The Optometry Board of Australia provides a guideline indicating optometrists should not sell any scheduled medicines.