Date of Adoption: April 23, 2004.

     Purpose: In response to 2003 legislation, these rules set forth a specific list of drugs or drug categories, which qualified optometrists, may use, prescribe, dispense, purchase, possess or administer. The rules also provide guidelines for approved forms and dosages, exclusions and restriction and include a process by which medications are included or removed from the list.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 142, Laws of 2003 and RCW 18.54.070(2).

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 04-06-045 on March 1, 2004.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 3, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
     Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

April 23, 2004

Thomas J. Riley, O.D.

Chair, Board of Optometry

OTS-6705.6

NEW SECTION
WAC 246-851-580   Drug list.   Pursuant to RCW 18.53.010(4), the optometry board adopts the following drug formulary of oral Schedule III through V controlled substances and legend drugs for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in the practice of optometry. No licensed optometrist may use, prescribe, dispense, purchase, possess, or administer these drugs except as authorized and to the extent permitted by the board. This section includes the approved oral drug formulary. Optometrists must consult WAC 246-851-590 for specific guidelines on these drugs or drug categories.

     (1) Approved nonscheduled oral drugs include:

     (a) Antibiotic agents excluding those listed in WAC 246-851-590(1).

     (b) Antiviral agents.

     (c) Antifungal agents listed under WAC 246-851-590(2).

     (d) Antihistamine agents.

     (e) Decongestant agents.

     (f) Dry eye agents.

     (g) Anti-emetic agents listed under WAC 246-851-590(3).

     (h) Diuretic agents listed under WAC 246-851-590(4).

     (i) Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents excluding those listed in WAC 246-851-590(5).

     (j) Analgesics.

     (2) Approved controlled substances limited to Schedules III, IV, and V.

     (a) Schedule III controlled substances.

     (b) Schedule IV controlled substances.

     (c) Schedule V controlled substances.

     (d) Schedule IV anti-anxiety/sedative agents.

     (3) Approved injectable substances.

     Administration of epinephrine by injection for the treatment of anaphylactic shock.

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     (1) All oral forms and dosages of antibiotic agents will be available for use excluding: Vancomycin.

     (2) Antifungal agents used in eye care shall fall into the following categories:

     (a) All oral forms and dosages of polyene antifungals.

     (b) All oral forms and dosages of imidazole antifungals.

     (c) All oral forms and dosages of triazole antifungals.

     (3) Anti-emetic agents used in eye care shall be the following medications:

     (a) All oral forms and dosages of prochlorperazine.

     (b) All oral forms and dosages of metoclopramide.

     (c) All oral forms and dosages of promethazine.

     (4) Diuretic agents used in eye care shall fall into the following categories:

     (a) All oral forms and dosages of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.

     (b) All oral forms and dosages of osmotic diuretics. Osmotic diuretics shall be used only in the case of acute angle closure glaucoma administered in-office, outpatient, and/or ambulatory procedures only.

     (5) All oral forms and dosages of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents will be available for use excluding: Ketorolac tromethamine.

     (6) Benzodiazepines prescribed, as anti-anxiety agents, shall be used for in-office, outpatient, and/or ambulatory procedures. This family of medications will be utilized as one dosage unit per prescription.

     (7) Schedules III and IV controlled substances will have a maximum quantity count of thirty dosage units per prescription.

     (8) Specific dosage for use and appropriate duration of treatment of oral medications listed in WAC 246-851-580(1) will be consistent with guidelines established by the Food and Drug Administration.

     (9) Notation of purpose shall be included on all prescriptions.

     (10) An optometrist may not:

     (a) Use, prescribe, dispense, or administer oral corticosteroids; or

     (b) Prescribe, dispense, or administer a controlled substance for more than seven days in treating a particular patient for a single trauma, episode, or condition or for pain associated with or related to the trauma, episode, or condition; or

     (c) Prescribe an oral drug within ninety days following ophthalmic surgery unless the optometrist consults with the treating ophthalmologist. If treatment exceeding the limitation is indicated, the patient must be referred to a physician licensed under chapter 18.71 RCW.

     (11) The prescription or administration of drugs as authorized in this section is specifically limited to those drugs appropriate to treatment of diseases or conditions of the human eye and the adnexa that are within the scope of practice of optometry. The prescription or administration of drugs for any other purpose is not authorized.

     (12) Nothing in this chapter may be construed to authorize the use, prescription, dispensing, purchase, possession, or administration of any Schedule I or II controlled substance.

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     (1) Categories of medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration may be added to WAC 246-851-580(1) by rule through consultation and approval of the board of optometry and board of pharmacy.

     (2) Medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration in categories that are within the scope of optometric physician practice that are not included in WAC 246-851-580(1) may be added through consultation and approval of the board of optometry and the board of pharmacy. Approval will follow the joint process established by both boards.

     (3) WAC 246-851-580 and 246-851-590 may be updated to reflect additions or removal of medications.

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