Short title

        1. These regulations may be cited as the Diagnostic and Therapeutic Drug Regulations , 2012.

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Diagnostic drug certificate

        2. (1) The council may issue to an optometrist a diagnostic drug certificate.

             (2)  An optometrist who holds a diagnostic drug certificate may administer and prescribe

             (a)  topical ophthalmic anaesthetics for the purpose of measuring a patient's intra-ocular pressure; and

             (b)  topical ophthalmic cycloplegics and mydriatics for the purpose of dilation and to facilitate examination of the eye.

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Therapeutic drug certificate

        3. (1) The council may issue a therapeutic drug certificate to an optometrist who

             (a)  graduated on or after January 1, 1995 from an educational body approved by the council, and has successfully completed the pharmaceutical section of the Optometric Assessment Examinations administered by the Canadian Examiners in Optometry; and

             (b)  graduated prior to January 1, 1995 from an educational body approved by the council, and

                      (i)  has successfully completed a post-graduate course approved by the council in the administration and prescription of therapeutic medications, and

                     (ii)  has passed an examination administered or approved by the council respecting the use of therapeutic medications.

             (2)  Notwithstanding subsection (1), where an optometrist completed the requirements of paragraph (1)(a) or (b) before January 1, 2000, the optometrist shall complete a refresher course approved by the council in the administration of therapeutic medicines as a condition of receiving a certificate.

             (3)  An optometrist who holds a therapeutic drug certificate may administer and prescribe the following pharmaceutical agents for the diagnosis and treatment of ocular anterior segment disorders:

             (a)  mydriatics;

             (b)  cycloplegics;

             (c)  topical local ophthalmic anaesthetics;

             (d)  topical ophthalmic non-steroidal anti-allergy medications;

             (e)  topical ophthalmic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications; and

             (f)  topical ophthalmic anti-infective medications.

             (4)  An optometrist who holds a therapeutic drug certificate may administer and prescribe the following pharmaceutical agents for the diagnosis and treatment of conditions of the ocular surface and adnexa where there is no corneal ulceration:

             (a)  topical ocular corticosteroids; and

             (b)  topical ocular anti-infective corticosteroid combinations.

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Foreign bodies

        4. An optometrist who meets the qualifications in section 3 for a therapeutic drug certificate may remove superficial foreign bodies from the human eye and surrounding tissue.

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Suspension or revocation

        5. The council may suspend or revoke a diagnostic or therapeutic drug certificate where the member fails to maintain standards which may be set by the council.

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Disciplinary action

        6. (1) Where an optometrist prescribes or administers pharmaceutical agents without the appropriate certificate or prescribes or administers pharmaceutical agents not authorized by the certificate he or she holds, that action shall be considered conduct deserving of sanction for the purposes of Part IV of the Optometry Act, 2012.

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             (2)  Where an optometrist removes superficial foreign bodies from a human eye or surrounding tissue in violation of section 4, that action shall be considered conduct deserving of sanction for the purposes of Part IV of the Optometry Act, 2012.

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Repeal

        7. The Diagnostic and Therapeutic Drug Regulations , Newfoundland and Labrador Regulations 95/05, are repealed.

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