32-1728

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.