{"id":"F2008L02617","name":"National Health Act 1953 - Determination under subsections 85A(1) and (2) and 88(1C) - Prescription of pharmaceutical benefits by authorised optometrists (No. PB 78 of 2008)","slug":"f2008l02617","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"repealed","isInForce":false,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":326515,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2008L02617-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-08","status":"Repealed","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"National Health Act 1953 - Determination under subsections 85A(1) and (2) and 88(1C) - Prescription of pharmaceutical benefits by authorised optometrists (No. PB 78 of 2008)","content":"![](image.001.png)\n\nDetermination — Prescription of pharmaceutical benefits by authorised Optometrists (PB 78 of 2008)\n\nas amended\n\nmade under subsections 85A(1) and (2) and 88(1C) of the\n\nNational Health Act 1953\n\nThis compilation was prepared on 1 November 2008 \ntaking into account amendments up to PB 100 of 2008\n\nPrepared by the Office of Legislative Drafting and Publishing, \nAttorney-General’s Department, Canberra\n\nDetermination – Prescription of pharmaceutical benefits by authorized Optometrists (PB 78 of 2008)\n\n1 Commencement \\[see Note 1\\]\n\nThis instrument commences on 1 August 2008.\n\n2 Repeal\n\nInstrument number PB 10 of 2008 is repealed.\n\n3 Definition\n\nIn this instrument:\n\nAct means the National Health Act 1953.\n\n4 Form allowable\n\nFor subsection 85A(1) of the Act, the form of a pharmaceutical benefit mentioned in an item of Schedule 1 that is allowable for prescription by an authorised optometrist is the form mentioned in the description of the pharmaceutical benefit in the item.\n\nNote More than 1 form may have been determined for a pharmaceutical benefit , in which case each form is allowable for prescription: see Acts Interpretation Act 1901, para 23 (b).\n\n5 Maximum quantity or number of units\n\n(1) For paragraph 85A (2) (a) of the Act, the maximum quantity or number of units of a pharmaceutical benefit mentioned in an item of Schedule 1 that an authorised optometrist may, in 1 prescription, direct to be supplied on any 1 occasion, either for all purposes or for a particular purpose (if any) mentioned in the item, is the quantity or number of units mentioned in the item.\n\n(2) For this section, the maximum quantity of a pharmaceutical benefit mentioned in an item in Schedule 1 is in the form mentioned in the description of the pharmaceutical benefit in the item.\n\nNote A pharmaceutical benefit may or may not have a pharmaceutical item. The description of a pharmaceutical benefit in an individual item of Schedule 1 makes it clear whether the item relates to a pharmaceutical benefit that has a pharmaceutical item or not.\n\n6 Maximum number of repeats\n\nFor paragraph 85A (2) (b) of the Act, the maximum number of occasions for which an authorised optometrist may, in 1 prescription, direct that the supply of a pharmaceutical benefit mentioned in an item of Schedule 1 be repeated, either for all purposes or for a particular purpose (if any) mentioned in the item, is the number mentioned in the item.\n\n7 Manner of administration\n\nFor paragraph 85A (2) (c) of the Act, the manner of administration of a pharmaceutical benefit mentioned in an item of Schedule 1 that an authorised optometrist may, in a prescription, direct to be used is the manner of administration mentioned in the description of the pharmaceutical benefit in the item.\n\n8 Pharmaceutical benefits that may be prescribed by authorised optometrists\n\nFor subsection 88 (1C) of the Act, an authorised optometrist is authorised to write a prescription for the supply of a pharmaceutical benefit that is mentioned in Schedule 1.\n\n9 Particular purpose of supply of a pharmaceutical benefit\n\nFor sections 4 and 5, if there are any particular purposes for which the supply of a pharmaceutical benefit may be directed:\n\n(a) those purposes are identified by the purpose code in the item of Schedule 1 dealing with the particular pharmaceutical benefit; and\n\n(b) the purpose that the purpose code stands for is set out in the lower part of the item.\n\n```html\n

SCHEDULE 1 MATTERS RELATING TO THE WRITING OF PRESCRIPTIONS FOR PHARMACEUTICAL BENEFITS

BY AUTHORISED OPTOMETRISTS

(sections 3 to 7)

Pharmaceutical Benefit

Purposes of Supply

Listed drug

Form

Manner of administration

Brand

For all purposes (other than a particular purpose)

For particular purposes (purpose code followed by quantity or number)

Maximum

quantity or

number

Maximum

repeats

Maximum

quantity or number

Maximum

repeats

Aciclovir

Eye ointment 30 mg per g, 4.5 g

Application to the eye

Zovirax

1

..

Carbomer 974

Ocular lubricating gel 3 mg per g, single dose units 0.5 g, 30

Application to the eye

Poly Gel

3

5

Carbomer 980

Ocular lubricating gel 2 mg per g, 10 g

Application to the eye

GelTears

PAA

Viscotears Liquid Gel

1

5

Eye drops 2 mg per g, single dose units 0.6 mL, 30

Application to the eye

Viscotears

3

5

Carmellose

Eye drops containing carmellose sodium 5 mg per mL, 15 mL

Application to the eye

Refresh Tears Plus

1

5

Eye drops containing carmellose sodium 10 mg per mL, 15 mL

Application to the eye

Refresh Liquigel

1

5

Eye drops containing carmellose sodium 2.5 mg per mL, single dose units 0.6 mL, 24

Application to the eye

TheraTears

4

5

Eye drops containing carmellose sodium 5 mg per mL, single dose units 0.4 mL, 30

Application to the eye

Cellufresh

3

5

Eye drops containing carmellose sodium 10 mg per mL, single dose units 0.4 mL, 30

Application to the eye

Celluvisc

3

5

Ocular lubricating gel containing carmellose sodium 10 mg per mL, single dose units 0.6 mL, 28

Application to the eye

TheraTears

3

5

Chloramphenicol

Eye drops 5 mg per mL, 10 mL

Application to the eye

Chloromycetin

Chlorsig

1

2

Eye ointment 10 mg per g, 4 g

Application to the eye

Chloromycetin

Chlorsig

1

..

Cromoglycic Acid

Eye drops containing sodium cromoglycate 20 mg per mL, 10 mL

Application to the eye

Cromolux

Opticrom

1

5

Fluorometholone

Eye drops 1 mg per mL, 5 mL

Application to the eye

Flucon

FML Liquifilm

1

..

Eye drops containing fluorometholone acetate 1 mg per mL, 5 mL

Application to the eye

Flarex

1

..

\n```\n\n \n\n```html\n

SCHEDULE 1 MATTERS RELATING TO THE WRITING OF PRESCRIPTIONS FOR PHARMACEUTICAL BENEFITS

BY AUTHORISED OPTOMETRISTS — continued

(sections 3 to 7)

Pharmaceutical Benefit

Purposes of Supply

Listed drug

Form

Manner of administration

Brand

For all purposes (other than a particular purpose)

For particular purposes (purpose code followed by quantity or number)

Maximum

quantity or

number

Maximum

repeats

Maximum

quantity or number

Maximum

repeats

Flurbiprofen

Eye drops containing flurbiprofen sodium 300 micrograms per mL, single dose units 0.4 mL, 5

Application to the eye

Ocufen

1

..

Hydrocortisone

Eye ointment containing hydrocortisone acetate 5 mg per g, 5 g

Application to the eye

Hycor

1

..

Eye ointment containing hydrocortisone acetate 10 mg per g, 5 g

Application to the eye

Hycor

1

..

Hypromellose

Eye drops 3 mg per mL, 15 mL

Application to the eye

Genteal

In a Wink Moisturising

1

5

Eye drops 5 mg per mL, 15 mL

Application to the eye

Methopt

1

5

Hypromellose with Carbomer 980

Ocular lubricating gel 3 mg-2 mg per g, 10 g

Application to the eye

Genteal gel

HPMC PAA

1

5

Hypromellose with Dextran

Eye drops containing 3 mg hypromellose 4500 with 1 mg dextran 70 per mL, 15 mL

Application to the eye

Poly-Tears

Tears Naturale

1

5

Eye drops containing 3 mg hypromellose 2900 with 1 mg dextran 70 per mL, single dose units 0.4 mL, 28

Application to the eye

Bion Tears

3

5

Paraffin

Eye ointment, compound, containing white soft paraffin with liquid paraffin, 3.5 g

Application to the eye

Duratears

Poly Visc

2

5

Pack containing 2 tubes eye ointment, compound, containing white soft paraffin with liquid paraffin, 3.5 g

Application to the eye

Ircal

Lacri-Lube

Poly Visc

1

5

Polyethylene Glycol 400 with Propylene Glycol

Eye drops 4 mg-3 mg per mL, 15 mL

Application to the eye

Systane

1

5

Eye drops 4 mg-3 mg per mL, single dose units 0.8 mL, 28

Application to the eye

Systane

2

5

Polyvinyl Alcohol

Eye drops 14 mg per mL, 15 mL

Application to the eye

Liquifilm Tears

PVA Tears

1

5

Eye drops 14 mg per mL, 15 mL (contains sodium chlorite/hydrogen peroxide as preservative)

Application to the eye

Vistil

1

5

Eye drops 30 mg per mL, 15 mL

Application to the eye

Liquifilm Forte

PVA Forte

1

5

Eye drops 30 mg per mL, 15 mL (contains sodium chlorite/hydrogen peroxide as preservative)

Application to the eye

Vistil Forte

1

5

Sulfacetamide

Eye drops containing sulfacetamide sodium 100 mg per mL, 15 mL

Application to the eye

Bleph 10

1

2

Tamarindus indica seed polysaccharide

Eye drops 10 mg per mL, 0.5 mL, 20

Application to the eye

Visine Professional

3

5

\n```\n\n> Notes to the Determination — Prescription of pharmaceutical benefits by authorized optometrists (PB 78 of 2008)\n\n> Note 1\n\n> Note: The Determination — Prescription of pharmaceutical benefits by authorized optometrists (PB 78 of 2008) (in force under sections 85A(1) and (2) and 88(1C) of the National Health Act 1953) as shown in this compilation is amended as indicated in the Tables below.\n\n> Note: > Note: Table of Instruments\n\n| Title | Date of FRLI Registration | Date ofcommencement | Application, saving ortransitional provisions |\n| -------------- | ------------------------------ | ------------------- | --------------------------------------------- |\n| PB 78 of 2008 | 24 July 2008 (see F2008L02617) | | |\n| PB 100 of 2008 | 17 Oct 2008 (see F2008L03759) | 1 Nov 2008 | — |\n\n> Note: > Note: Table of Amendments\n\n```html\n

ad. = added or inserted am. = amended rep. = repealed rs. = repealed and substituted

Provision affected

How affected

Schedule 1

Schedule 1..................

am. PB 100 of 2008

\n```","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The instrument’s scope was altered after initial registration: it repeals PB 10 of 2008 (s2) and Schedule 1 was subsequently amended by PB 100 of 2008 (see Notes/Table of Amendments). Those changes modified the list and/or parameters of pharmaceutical benefits that authorised optometrists may prescribe, so the set of permitted items and limits differs from the original PB 78 of 2008 text."},"complexity_factors":["Cross-reference to the National Health Act 1953 (instrument made under subsections 85A(1) & (2) and 88(1C)) — legal effect depends on interplay with those Act provisions (see instrument preamble and s8).","Detailed, itemised Schedule 1 listing many medicines, specific dosage forms, brand names, exact pack sizes and numeric limits (quantity and repeats) — high operational precision required for compliance.","Separate provisions setting different prescription parameters (allowable form (s4), maximum quantity/units (s5), maximum repeats (s6), manner of administration (s7)) increase drafting and compliance detail.","Purpose coding mechanism for 'particular purposes' (s9) requires users to consult lower part of each item in Schedule 1 to determine permitted uses — adds an extra lookup step for prescribers and pharmacists.","Repeal and amendment history: instrument repeals PB 10 of 2008 (s2) and Schedule 1 was amended by PB 100 of 2008 (Notes/Table of Amendments) — requires users to track consolidated text and amendments.","Notes and interpretive pointers (e.g. Acts Interpretation Act para 23(b) referenced in s4 Note) affect which forms are allowable when multiple forms exist — a formal interpretive rule to apply.","The determination is prescriptive about prescription mechanics but silent on PBS subsidy/payment arrangements or broader clinical scope — implementers must not infer funding or clinical-policy changes from the instrument alone.","Operational burden on pharmacies and dispensing systems to verify that prescriptions from optometrists match Schedule 1 entries exactly (form, pack size, repeats, purpose codes)."],"plain_english_summary":"This determination authorises registered optometrists to write prescriptions for the specific eye medicines listed in Schedule 1 and sets the permissible form, maximum quantity, number of repeats and manner of administration for each listed item. It commenced on 1 August 2008 and repealed an earlier instrument. It affects authorised optometrists (who gain prescription authority), pharmacists and suppliers (who must supply only within the Schedule limits) and patients seeking those listed ocular pharmaceutical benefits, because it mechanically defines what optometrists may prescribe and how prescriptions must be written."},"kimi_summary":{"_metrics":{"model":"kimi-k2.5","source":"moonshot-realtime","completionTokens":3015},"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The instrument maintains its original narrow scope of specifying which pharmaceutical benefits authorised optometrists may prescribe under the PBS. The amendment history indicates only routine updates to the Schedule of listed medications (adding or modifying specific drugs), not an expansion of the instrument's purpose or jurisdictional reach beyond its initial intent."},"complexity_factors":["Schedule 1 contains a detailed tabular listing of over 20 pharmaceutical items requiring precise identification of chemical compositions (e.g., 'Carbomer 974', 'Tamarindus indica seed polysaccharide') and proprietary brand names","Technical measurement specifications using pharmaceutical units (e.g., 'mg per g', 'micrograms per mL', 'single dose units')","Cross-references to parent legislation (National Health Act 1953 sections 85A and 88) and the Acts Interpretation Act 1901","Regulatory distinctions between listed drugs, allowable forms, manners of administration, maximum quantities, and maximum repeatable occasions"],"plain_english_summary":"This Determination lists the specific eye medications (by drug, form and brand) that authorised optometrists may prescribe under the PBS, including antibiotics, antivirals, anti‑inflammatories and lubricants, with set maximum quantities and repeats. It affects optometrists, pharmacists and patients by enabling suitably qualified optometrists to directly provide PBS‑subsidised treatments for common eye conditions, improving access to care."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/f2008l02617","history":"/api/acts/f2008l02617/history","analysis":"/api/acts/f2008l02617/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/f2008l02617/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/f2008l02617/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/f2008l02617/documents"}}