00SENATE BILL NO. 78 am H                                                                                               
01 "An Act relating to the use and prescription of pharmaceutical agents in the                                            
02 practice of optometry."                                                                                                 
03 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                               
04    * Section 1.  AS 08.72.175(a) is amended to read:                                                                  
05  (a)  The board may issue a license endorsement authorizing a licensee to                                              
06 prescribe and use the pharmaceutical agents described in AS 08.72.272, if the licensee                                  
07 or applicant for a license passes the written and practical portions of an examination                                  
08 on ocular pharmacology, approved by the board, that tests the licensee's or the                                         
09 applicant's knowledge of the characteristics, pharmacological effects, indications,                                     
10 contraindications, and emergency care associated with the prescription and use of                                       
11 pharmaceutical agents.  The endorsement expires at the same time as the license to                                      
12 which it attaches.  The endorsement may be renewed upon satisfactory completion of                                      
13 continuing education requirements established by the board by regulation.   The board                                  
14 shall solicit the recommendations of the State Medical Board concerning the                                             

01 written and practical examination required under this subsection and concerning                                         
02 the continuing education requirements that should be applicable to licensees with                                       
03 endorsements under this subsection.                                                                                    
04    * Sec. 2.  AS 08.72.272(a) is amended to read:                                                                     
05  (a)  A licensee may prescribe and use a pharmaceutical agent , including a                                           
06 controlled substance,  in the practice of optometry if                                                                 
07   (1)  the pharmaceutical agent is  not included on schedule IA or IIA                                                
08 under AS 11.71;                                                                                                         
09   (2)  the pharmaceutical agent is related to the diagnosis and                                                        
10 treatment of  [A DRUG TOPICALLY APPLIED TO] the human eye and its                                                      
11 appendages , including the treatment of anaphylaxis ; and                                                             
12    (3)  [(2)]  the person holds a license endorsement issued by the board                                            
13 authorizing the prescription and use of pharmaceutical agents.