Bill > SB212

This bill allows optometrists certified as TPA (Therapeutic Pharmaceutical Agents) to sell and dispense Schedule VI controlled substances, which are specific types of medications related to eye treatment, provided they obtain a license from the Board of Pharmacy and adhere to strict rules. These rules cover how the medications are dispensed, stored, packaged, labeled, and how records are kept and reported. The bill also clarifies that this authority is limited to the optometrist's own patients and only for finished, unaltered pharmaceutical products that are topical, ophthalmic, or oral and intended for self-administration outside the office. Importantly, this expansion of authority does not broaden the general prescribing powers of optometrists. The Board of Optometry and the Board of Pharmacy are directed to create emergency regulations to put these changes into effect, including establishing a special limited license for these optometrists.

Budget and Finance, Education, Health and Social Services

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB212