OPTOMETRISTS win right to prescribe on the Australian PBS

THE CASE

The first of January 2008 marks the beginning of the end of a long and covert battle. For at least 20 years Australian optometrists have been lobbying for the right to prescribe eye related medicines. This was strongly opposed by vested interests, mainly ophthalmologists.

Firstly the optometrists educated themselves, to make sure that not only were they competent, but that they were seen to be competent, to prescribe medicines. Then slowly, state by state, the optometrists won this right. Now at last they have been allowed by Medicare Australia to prescribe eye drops on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). However, unlike dentists, optometrists are still are not allowed to prescribe oral medicines such as antibiotics (to treat eye infections). Their prescriptions are presently restricted to eye drops and eye ointments, but it is a good start.

The advantage to the public is that optometrists no longer have to refer their patients to doctors whenever they detect mild infections or if their patient needs lubricating eye drops. This will be a nice saving for Medicare.

Other medical professionals such as podiatrists are watching this development with great interest, hoping that this precedent can be extended into their own field.

MY VERDICT

This may help with the Australia-wide shortage of doctors. Let's hope.

This is also an object lesson in how even the most entrenched vested interests groups can be outmanoeuvered by careful planning and lobbying, given enough time .