Medicines – prescribing and adverse events

This section provides an overview about the sale and supply of medicines and how to report any side effects in the context of working increasingly with multidisciplinary teams.

Medicines classified as prescription only medicines (POMs) normally need to be prescribed by a doctor, but a number of exemptions mean other eye health professions in the UK can also sell and supply certain POMs.

• Dispensing and contact lens opticians can use and supply specific drugs. ABDO provides more information on this here.
• Optometrists can sell and supply specific groups of medicines. Independent prescribing optometrists have access to a wider range of medicines. The College of Optometrists provides opensource guidance on the use and supply of drugs or medicines in optometric practice and college members can download this detailed formulary on all drugs currently available to optometrists
• Orthoptists can supply and administer certain medicines after completing an approved programme by the Health and Care Professions Council
• Ophthalmologists, as medically trained doctors can prescribe all drugs in accordance with General Medical Council good practice guidance.

All medicines can cause side effects (adverse events), but unless these are reported it can take longer to withdraw or recall products that might not be safe. So, it’s important to report these to the MHRA when they occur – using the Yellow Card Scheme.

• Watch the MHRA’s video on reporting adverse events
• Report a side effect or adverse event to the MHRA

Originally published: January 2020.

Reviewed: NA.

Next review date: March 2022.

Info: NA.

The next review was originally planned for January 2021. This was changed due to prioritising work during the pandemic.