SB 162-HYDROCODONE PRESCRIPTION BY OPTOMETRISTS                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
1:37:13 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR STEDMAN announced that the  next order of business would be                                                               
SB 162. He related that it is  the second hearing on the bill. It                                                               
was heard for  the first time on February 21.  The committee also                                                               
heard from the sponsor and took public testimony.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
DAVID   SCOTT,  Staff,   Senator   Donny   Olson,  Alaska   State                                                               
Legislature, Juneau,  Alaska, reviewed  SB 162  on behalf  of the                                                               
sponsor.  He said  the  bill does  not expand  the  scope of  the                                                               
practice of optometry or their  ability to prescribe hydrocodone.                                                               
It  would  ensure there  is  not  a  lapse  in their  ability  to                                                               
prescribe a  limited amount  of hydrocodone.  He shared  that the                                                               
FDA is proposing  to reschedule hydrocodone from  Schedule III to                                                               
Schedule II.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR STEDMAN noted one fiscal  note from Department of Commerce,                                                               
Community and Economic Development.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1:39:05 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  MICCICHE asked  why  other pain  relievers  are not  used,                                                               
considering the risks with hydrocodone.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
MR. SCOTT  did not know.  He offered to find  further information                                                               
about that issue.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR MICCICHE wished to understand the reason.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
1:40:22 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  MEYER  moved  to  report  SB  162  from  committee  with                                                               
individual recommendations and attached zero fiscal note.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  STEDMAN  announced  that  without  objection,  SB  162  is                                                               
reported  from the  Senate Health  and  Social Services  Standing                                                               
Committee.