2007 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 Postsecondary 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.
History: 1982 c 388 s 3; 1991 c 106 s 6