§ Mrs. SpelmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will assess the benefits of the prescribing, supply and administration of therapeutic medicines by suitably trained optometrists; [107996]
(2) if he will take steps to enable registered optometrists to prescribe, supply and administer therapeutic medicines. [108097]
§ Mr. HuttonOptometrists may already administer a limited number of therapeutic medicines in an emergency; for example, by treating conjunctivitis with anti-biotics. The final report of the Review of Prescribing, Supply and Administration of Medicines recommended that arrangements be made to consider applications from organisations seeking authority to prescribe on behalf of specified groups of health professionals, which could include optometrists. We are carefully considering how best to take forward the report's recommendations in the light of all the views expressed.