2000 Minnesota Statutes

     148.573 Prerequisites to drug use. 

    Subdivision 1.    Certificate required.  A licensed 
 optometrist shall not purchase, possess or administer any 
 topical ocular drugs unless, after August 1, 1982, the 
 optometrist has obtained a certificate from the board of 
 optometry certifying that the optometrist has complied with the 
 following requirements:  

    (a) Successful completion of 60 classroom hours of study in 
 general and clinical pharmacology as it relates to the practice 
 of optometry, with particular emphasis on the use of topical 
 ocular drugs for examination purposes.  At least 30 of the 60 
 classroom hours shall be in ocular pharmacology and shall 
 emphasize the systemic effects of and reactions to topical 
 ocular drugs, including the emergency management and referral of 
 any adverse reactions that may occur.  The course of study shall 
 be approved by the board of optometry, and shall be offered by 
 an institution which is accredited by a regional or professional 
 accreditation organization recognized or approved by the Council 
 on Post-secondary Education or the United States Department of 
 Education or their successors.  The course shall be completed 
 prior to entering the examination required by this section; 

    (b) Successful completion of an examination approved by the 
 board of optometry on the subject of general and ocular 
 pharmacology as it relates to optometry with particular emphasis 
 on the use of topical ocular drugs, including emergency 
 management and referral of any adverse reactions that may occur; 

    (c) Successful completion, after August 1, 1982, of a 
 course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation offered or approved by 
 the Red Cross, American Heart Association, an accredited 
 hospital, or a comparable organization or institution; and 

    (d) Establishment, after August 1, 1982, of an emergency 
 plan for the management and referral to appropriate medical 
 services of patients who may experience adverse drug reactions 
 resulting from the application of topical ocular drugs.  The 
 plan must be approved by the board of optometry and shall, at 
 least, require the optometrist to:  

    (1) Refer patients who notify the optometrist of an adverse 
 drug reaction to appropriate medical specialists or facilities; 

    (2) Routinely advise the patient to immediately contact the 
 optometrist if the patient experiences an adverse reaction; 

    (3) Place in the patient's permanent record information 
 describing any adverse drug reaction experienced by the patient, 
 and the date and time that any referral was made; and 

    (4) Include in the plan the names of at least three 
 physicians, physician clinics, or hospitals to whom the 
 optometrist will refer patients who experience an adverse drug 
 reaction.  At least one of these physicians shall be skilled in 
 the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the eye.  

    Subd. 2.    Exception.  The course and examination 
 required by clauses (a) and (b) of subdivision 1 shall be 
 completed after August 1, 1982 except that the board of 
 optometry may certify applicants who have graduated from an 
 accredited school of optometry within two years prior to August 
 1, 1982 if the school's curriculum includes a course and 
 examination meeting the requirements of clauses (a) and (b) of 
 subdivision 1.  

    Subd. 3.    Consultation required.  Approvals of the 
 course, examination and emergency plan required by clauses (a), 
 (b) and (d) of subdivision 1 shall be given by the board of 
 optometry only after consultation with the board of medical 
 practice and board of pharmacy, provided that the 
 recommendations of the board of medical practice and board of 
 pharmacy are made within 120 days after they are requested by 
 the board of optometry.  

    HIST: 1982 c 388 s 3; 1991 c 106 s 6