Independent Drug Prescribing

On Monday 23rd of November 2009, Susan Bowers became one of the first 30 Optometrists, in Great Britain, to pass the new examination in Independent  Prescribing of therapeutic drugs. She has studied for a total of seven years and her clinical training has taken place over the last four years.This is a ground breaking step forward for the Optometry profession. From the 1st of December 2009 Optometrists will be able to prescribe for a range of 66 different eye conditions covered by the College of Optometrist clinical management guidelines.

Susan said " I would like to thank the Ophthalmologist, Mr GTH Smith for all his help with my clinical training. My thanks also go to Prof John Lawrensen and Prof Roger Buckley for their work on therapeutics both at City University and the College of Optometrists. One day I would like to see all students leaving the universities with prescribing education after a four year degree, ready to take their one year clinical training as in dentisty and pharmacy."