Short title

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

90/12 s1

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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.

90/12 s2

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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; or

             (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;

             (f)  topical ophthalmic anti-infective medications;

             (g)  topical ocular corticosteroids; and

             (h)  topical ocular anti-infective corticosteroid combinations.

             (4)  [Rep. by 35/21 s1]

90/12 s3; 35/21 s1

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Advanced diagnostic and therapeutic drug certificate

      3.1 (1) The council may issue an advanced diagnostic and therapeutic drug certificate to an optometrist who

             (a)  graduated on or after January 1, 2015 from an educational body approved by the council and has successfully completed the entry to practice examinations approved by the council; or

             (b)  graduated prior to January 1, 2015 from an educational body approved by the council and has successfully completed an advanced scope certificate course approved by the council.

             (2)  An optometrist who holds an advanced diagnostic and therapeutic drug certificate may

             (a)  diagnose, treat and manage glaucoma in accordance with standards set by the council; and

             (b)  administer and prescribe pharmaceutical agents listed in Schedules I and II of the Newfoundland and Labrador Drug Schedules, as adopted by the Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmacy Board under the Pharmacy Regulations, 2014 , to treat and manage ocular disease, except for narcotics and other controlled pharmaceutical agents.

35/21 s2

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Foreign bodies

        4. An optometrist may remove superficial foreign bodies from the human eye and surrounding tissue by performing surgical procedures on body tissue

             (a)  below the dermis or mucous membrane; or

             (b)  in or below the surface of the cornea.

90/12 s4; 35/21 s3

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Suspension or revocation

        5. The council may suspend or revoke a diagnostic drug certificate, a therapeutic drug certificate or an advanced diagnostic and therapeutic drug certificate where the member fails to maintain standards set by the council.

90/12 s5; 35/21 s4

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Disciplinary action

        6. (1) Where an optometrist

             (a)  prescribes or administers pharmaceutical agents without the appropriate certificate;

             (b)  prescribes or administers pharmaceutical agents not authorized by the certificate he or she holds; or

             (c)  diagnoses, treats or manages glaucoma without the appropriate certificate,

that action shall be considered conduct deserving of sanction for the purposes of Part IV of the Optometry Act, 2012.

             (2)  [Rep. by 35/21 s5]

90/12 s7; 35/21 s5

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Repeal

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

90/12 s8

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