Sec 32-1728. Pharmaceutical agents; certification; use; course of study

A. A licensee initially licensed after the effective date of the amendment to this section, a licensee licensed by endorsement after the effective date of the amendment to this section or a licensee who passed an examination conducted by the board for the use of oral pharmaceutical agents before the effective date of the amendment to this section may prescribe, dispense and administer a pharmaceutical agent subject to the limitations provided in this chapter.

B. The board may reissue a certificate for renewal for the use of pharmaceutical agents for topical diagnostic or topical therapeutic pharmaceutical agents, or both, to a person who holds an existing certificate issued on or before the effective date of the amendment to this section and who pays the certificate of special qualification fee prescribed in section 32-1727. The certificate may specify the following:

1. Use of no drugs.

2. Use of topical diagnostic agents.

3. Use of topical diagnostic and therapeutic agents.

C. The board may issue a certificate of special qualification to practice optometry without the use of pharmaceutical agents to a person who holds a current license as of July 1, 2000 and who pays the certificate of special qualification fee prescribed in section 32-1727.

D. The board shall adopt a course of study for certification to use oral pharmaceuticals after consultation with colleges of optometry accredited by a nationally accepted accrediting body on optometric education and with the college of pharmacy at the university of Arizona. The board shall design and implement the course in a manner that requires a licensee who wishes to have the privilege of dispensing, prescribing and administering topical and oral pharmaceutical agents pursuant to this chapter meet the contemporary educational requirements related to pharmaceuticals authorized for licensees pursuant to this chapter at colleges of optometry in the United States and to demonstrate competence in dispensing, prescribing and administering those topical or oral pharmaceutical agents by passing examinations in those areas commensurate with doctoral candidates in colleges of optometry in the United States. The course of study shall teach and certify competence in the prescription and administration of topical or oral pharmaceutical agents pursuant to this chapter. The board shall adopt the course of study and completion requirements to reflect the current course of study and demonstrated competence level of pharmacy programs in colleges of optometry in the United States. The board may offer a course and examination that otherwise meets the requirements of this subsection and that is limited to oral pharmaceuticals for licensees who hold a valid diagnostic and therapeutic topical pharmaceutical permit issued pursuant to subsection A of this section.

E. The board shall adopt a uniform prescription form for use by all licensees who have the privilege to prescribe, dispense and administer topical pharmaceuticals or oral pharmaceuticals. The prescription form shall indicate the prescribing authority of the licensees and whether the authority includes oral pharmaceuticals, topical pharmaceuticals or both oral pharmaceuticals and topical pharmaceuticals. The form shall include the name, address, telephone number, fax number and professional license number of the licensee.

F. Annually on or before January 1 the state board of optometry shall mail to the Arizona state board of pharmacy the list of all licensees who have been certified to prescribe, dispense and administer either oral pharmaceuticals or topical pharmaceuticals, or both. Within thirty days of any additional certification by the state board of optometry, the state board of optometry shall provide updated lists to the Arizona state board of pharmacy. At the same time the state board of optometry shall send the list to each licensed pharmacy in Arizona, excluding hospital pharmacies, long-term care pharmacies and infusion pharmacies.