2015 South Carolina Code of Laws
Title 40 - Professions and Occupations
CHAPTER 37 - OPTOMETRISTS
Section 40-37-290. Purchasing, prescribing, and administering pharmaceutical agents.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an optometrist may purchase, possess, administer, supply, and prescribe pharmaceutical agents, including oral and topically applied medications other than Schedule I and II controlled substances as defined in Section 44-53-110 except controlled substances that have been reclassified from Schedule III to Schedule II effective on or after October 6, 2014, may continue to be purchased, possessed, administered, supplied, and prescribed by an optometrist, for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in the practice of optometry, except that:

(1) when prescribing oral and topically applied medications, an optometrist is limited to these oral pharmaceutical agents: antihistamines, antimicrobial, antiglaucoma, over-the-counter drugs, and analgesics for the treatment of ocular and ocular adnexal eye disease. An optometrist may only prescribe these medications for the treatment of ocular and ocular adnexal eye disease;

(2) when prescribing medications for the treatment of ocular and ocular adnexal disease, documentation in the patient's chart and appropriate consultations and referrals must be in accordance with the standard of care provided for in Section 40-37-310(E);

(3) when prescribing analgesics, the prescription must be limited to a seven-day supply;

(4) when prescribing topical steroids, if after twenty-one days of treatment it is necessary to continue this medication, the optometrist shall communicate and collaborate with an ophthalmologist;

(5) no medications may be given by injection or intravenously.

HISTORY: 2005 Act No. 135, Section 1; 2015 Act No. 43 (H.3443), Section 1, eff May 7, 2015.

Editor's Note

Prior Laws:1984 Act No. 312, Section 3; 1993 Act No. 65, Section 5; 1976 Code Section 40-37-105.

Effect of Amendment

2015 Act No. 43, Section 1, in the introductory paragraph, inserted the exception for reclassified controlled substances.