MOA Licensing Bill Becomes Law

MOA Licensure Bill

Includes Therapeutic Contact Lens Provision

On May 1^st, Minnesota Governor, Tim Pawlenty, signed into law legislation updating the optometric practice act. The legislation sponsored by the Minnesota Optometric Association (MOA) includes the three original components:

A consolidate definition of the practice of optometry
Provisions allowing for one level of licensure by incorporating DPA and TPA certification into the regular optometry license
Allows for licensure by endorsement rather than reciprocity thereby making it easier for optometrists to move from state to state

In addition, the MOA included language that allows optometrists to sell contact lenses containing legend drugs (pharmaceuticals requiring a prescription) from their offices. Current statute does not allow the sale of prescription drugs out of optometric practices. This language, agreed to by pharmacy, removes that prohibition for contact lenses.

It is likely that the Food and Drug Administration will approve the use of contact lenses containing topical antihistamines by the end of the year. This change in law was required for patients to have access to these products when they become available.

The entire legislative package took a couple of years to develop and was a cooperative effort between the MOA and the MN State Board of Optometry. In addition, the Minnesota Academy of Ophthalmology did not oppose, and at times cooperated, in the passage of the bill.

Chief authors Senator Tony Lourey and Representative Cy Thao were instrumental in moving the legislation through with little opposition. The addition of the contact lens provisions presented a few more hoops to jump through than usual, but ultimately, the process was as uneventful as hoped.