OptoP: Ocular prescriptions - Week 5 Flashcards
What are the roles of optometrists? (4)
Optometrists are an arm of primary care that can:
Refract the eye
Test vision
Detect eye, brain and systemic disease
use medical substances (s4) to treat eye disease
What financial scheme is optometry a part of? (2)
Medicare (MBS) and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
What are the medicare obligations of optometrists (5)
provide refractive and BV service + correction
screen and diagnose eye disease (e.g. glaucoma)
detect ocular manifestations of systemic disease (e.g. diabetes)
detect brain disorders with eye/vision involvement
treat disease with meds (PBS) as appropriate or refer for surgical intervention
What act in Victoria governs all dealings with drugs and poisons? (e.g. their manufacture, possession, prescription, supply, storage, use, etc.)
Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances (DPCS) Act 1981
What does Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Regulations 2017 specify?
schedules of drugs and poisons (schedules 2-9) that categorise ALL pharmaceutical agents
What are S2 drugs?
Drugs for shelf preparations (e.g. can find in supermarket, pharmacy on the shelves)
What are S3 drugs?
OTC (over-the-counter) preparations at a chemist (restrictions enforced by chemist)
What are S4 drugs?
therapeutic drugs that MUST BE PRESCRIBED (toxicity basis to prescribing)
What are S8 drugs?
drugs of addiction (special procedures)
Can drugs move between schedules?
Yes. Given a proper reason they can
What specifies the list of S4 drugs optometrists can use?
Optometry Board of Australia (OBA)
How long are prescriptions valid?
12 months
What 9 features should an optometry prescription contain?
- Prescriber details: name, address, telephone
- Therapeutic endorsement number
- Name+Address of Px
- Date when written
- Handwritten prescriber signature
- The particulars of the drug being supplied
- Instructions for use
- Number of repeats
- Get authority for restricted or authority ONLY Meds (PBS)
What particulars of the drug being supplied should be included in an optometry prescription? (4)
Name, formulation (e.g. drops or ointment) and conc.
Sometimes good idea to write generic name
Pharmacist can supply cheapest option for Px
Must specify brand if wish specific brand
What does RPBS stand for?
Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
As a prescriber, what happens if you run out of forms? (2)
A prescriber may telephone a pharmacist and ask that a PBS prescription be supplied. He/she must forward a written PBS prescription and duplicate to the pharmacist within 7 days of the date of supply
Explain the following abbreviations:
- BE
- Gutt (or gtt)
- Oc
- Collyr (or Coll)
BE = both eyes
Gutt = eye drops
Oc = eye ointment
Collyr = eyewash
Explain the following abbreviations:
- ad (or mdu)
- m (or mane)
- n (or noct)
- h
ad = as directed
m = in the morning
n = at night
h = an hour
Explain the following abbreviations:
- stat
- qd
- qod
- qqh (or q4h)
stat = immediately
qd = every day
qod = every other day
qqh (or q4h) = every 4 hours
Explain the following abbreviations:
- bid
- tid
- qid
bid = 2x a day
tid = 3x a day
qid = 4x a day
Explain the following abbreviations:
- Rpt 2
- PRN
- q
- po
Rpt 2 = supply 2 repeats
PRN = when necessary
q = every
po = by mouth
Explain the following abbreviations:
- sig
- sol
- susp
- ung
sig = label (directions)
sol = solution
susp = suspension
ung = ointment
Explain the following abbreviations:
- qhs
- qpm
- qam
qhs = at bedtime nightly
qpm = at night
qam = every morning
How are the generic names of drugs created?
They are the name of the active pharmaceutical compound
What does compounding of medicines mean?
Compounding means making up a medicine from raw ingredients
Why might pharmacists “compound” medicines? What can this achieve? (7)
Unique medicine strength/dosage
An experimental drug that may be needed for research purposes
Different drug form (i.e. change administration method)
For unavailable medications
Remove medicine taste (some px’s don’t like the taste)
Allergy (removing allergic additives)
Veterinary compounding: dose variation based on pet size
Why should we care about patient’s finding their medication tastes bad?
Issues with compliance, and general dissatisfaction of patient, particularly for chronic medication use.
Are optometrists permitted to sell or dispense S4 drugs?
NO!!! (we can only use them)
How should drugs be stored?
in accordance with DPCS act 1991 (in a locked cabinet)
How long should records of drug stock be kept?
records should be retained for 3 years
What 3 broad categories do pharmaceutical benefits in the schedule fall under?
Unrestricted benefits: have no restriction on their therapeutic uses
Restricted benefits: can only be prescribed for specific therapeutic uses
Authority required benefits: are restricted benefits that require prior approval from the department of Human Services or the DVA
Is PBS always cheap?
No
