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SB 173: "An Act relating to the use of pharmaceutical agents in the practice of optometry; and providing for an effective date."

00 SENATE BILL NO. 173 01 "An Act relating to the use of pharmaceutical agents in the practice of optometry; and 02 providing for an effective date." 03 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: 04 * Section 1. AS 08.72.175 is amended to read: 05 Sec. 08.72.175. License endorsement. (a) The board may issue a license 06 endorsement authorizing a licensee to prescribe and use a [THE] pharmaceutical 07 agent [AGENTS] described in AS 08.72.272, if the licensee or applicant for a license 08 (1) passes the written and practical portions of an examination on ocular 09 pharmacology, approved by the board, that tests the licensee's or the applicant's 10 knowledge of the characteristics, pharmacological effects, indications, 11 contraindications, and emergency care associated with the prescription and use of 12 pharmaceutical agents; and (2) meets additional education requirements, if any, 13 that are adopted by the board for receiving the endorsement. In addition to the 14 limitations contained in AS 08.72.272, the board may further limit the type of

01 pharmaceutical agents that are authorized for use under an endorsement. The 02 endorsement expires at the same time as the license to which it attaches. The 03 endorsement may be renewed upon satisfactory completion of continuing education 04 requirements established by the board by regulation. Regulations adopted by the 05 board under this subsection must be related to ensuring that the licensee with an 06 endorsement is competent to prescribe and use the pharmaceutical agents 07 authorized under the endorsement. 08 (b) A pharmacist or pharmaceutical supplier may supply a licensee with a 09 pharmaceutical agent [AGENTS] as provided under AS 08.72.272 upon presentation 10 of evidence that the licensee holds a license endorsement under this section that 11 authorizes use of the pharmaceutical agent. 12 * Sec. 2. AS 08.72.272 is amended to read: 13 Sec. 08.72.272. Use of pharmaceutical agents. (a) Except as provided in 14 (c) of this section, a [A] licensee may prescribe and use a pharmaceutical agent, 15 including a controlled substance, in the practice of optometry if 16 (1) the pharmaceutical agent is not included on schedule IA or IIA 17 under AS 11.71; 18 (2) the pharmaceutical agent is related to the diagnosis and 19 treatment of [A DRUG TOPICALLY APPLIED TO] the human eye and its 20 appendages, including the treatment of anaphylaxis; and 21 (3) [(2)] the person holds a license endorsement issued by the board 22 authorizing the prescription and use of the pharmaceutical agent [AGENTS]. 23 (b) A licensee may not purchase, possess, prescribe, or use a 24 pharmaceutical agent unless the licensee has obtained a license endorsement under 25 AS 08.72.175 that authorizes use of the pharmaceutical agent. 26 * Sec. 3. AS 08.72.272 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: 27 (c) A licensee may not inject a pharmaceutical agent into the globe of the eye. 28 * Sec. 4. This Act takes effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c).