{"id":"F2009L00427","name":"National Health Act 1953 - Determination under subsections 85A(1) and (2) and 88(1C) - Prescription of pharmaceutical benefits by authorised Optometrists (No. PB 11 of 2009)","slug":"f2009l00427","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"repealed","isInForce":false,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":363307,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2009L00427-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-09","status":"Repealed","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement \\[see Note 1\\]","content":"1 Commencement \\[see Note 1\\]\n\nThis instrument commences on 1 March 2009.\n\n","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Repeal","content":"2 Repeal\n\nInstrument number PB 116 of 2008 is repealed.\n\n","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definition","content":"3 Definition\n\nIn this instrument:\n\nAct means the National Health Act 1953.\n\n","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Form allowable","content":"4 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\n","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Maximum quantity or number of units","content":"5 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\n","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Maximum number of repeats","content":"6 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\n","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Manner of administration","content":"7 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\n","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Pharmaceutical benefits that may be prescribed by authorised optometrists","content":"8 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\n","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Particular purpose of supply of a pharmaceutical benefit","content":"9 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

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

..

Betaxolol

Eye drops, suspension, 2.5 mg (as hydrochloride) per mL, 5 mL

Application to the eye

Betoptic S

1

5

Eye drops, solution, 5 mg (as hydrochloride) per mL, 5 mL

Application to the eye

Betoptic

BetoQuin

1

5

Bimatoprost

Eye drops 300 micrograms per mL, 3 mL

Application to the eye

Lumigan

1

5

Bimatoprost with timolol

Eye drops 300 micrograms bimatoprost with timolol 5 mg (as maleate)
per mL, 3 mL

Application to the eye

Ganfort 0.3/5

1

5

Brimonidine

Eye drops containing brimonidine tartrate 1.5 mg per mL, 5 mL

Application to the eye

Alphagan P 1.5

1

5

Eye drops containing brimonidine tartrate 2 mg per mL, 5 mL

Application to the eye

Alphagan

Enidin

1

5

Brimonidine with Timolol

Eye drops containing brimonidine tartrate 2 mg with timolol 5 mg
(as maleate) per mL, 5 mL

Application to the eye

Combigan

1

5

Brinzolamide

Eye drops 10 mg per mL, 5 mL

Application to the eye

Azopt

BrinzoQuin

1

5

Brinzolamide with Timolol

Eye drops 10 mg brinzolamide with timolol 5 mg (as maleate) per mL, 5 mL

Application to the eye

Azarga

1

5

Carbomer

Eye gel 2 mg per g, 10 g

Application to the eye

GelTears

PAA

Viscotears

1

5

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

Application to the eye

Viscotears

3

5

Carbomer 974

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

Application to the eye

Poly Gel

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

\n```\n\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

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

Carmellose with glycerin

Eye drops containing carmellose sodium 5 mg with glycerin 9 mg per mL,
15 mL

Application to the eye

Optive

1

3

Eye drops containing carmellose sodium 5 mg with glycerin 9 mg per mL, single dose units 0.4 mL, 30

Application to the eye

Optive

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

Dorzolamide

Eye drops 20 mg (as hydrochloride) per mL, 5 mL

Application to the eye

Trusopt

1

5

Dorzolamide with Timolol

Eye drops containing dorzolamide 20 mg (as hydrochloride) with timolol
5 mg (as maleate) per mL, 5 mL

Application to the eye

Cosopt

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

..

Flurbiprofen

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

Application to the eye

Ocufen

1

..

Framycetin

Eye or ear drops containing framycetin sulfate 5 mg per mL, 8 mL

Application to the eye/ear

Soframycin

1

2

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

Latanoprost

Eye drops 50 micrograms per mL, 2.5 mL

Application to the eye

Xalatan

1

5

Latanoprost with Timolol

Eye drops 50 micrograms latanoprost with timolol 5 mg (as maleate) per mL, 2.5 mL

Application to the eye

Xalacom

1

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

Pilocarpine

Eye drops containing pilocarpine hydrochloride 10 mg per mL, 15 mL

Application to the eye

Isopto Carpine

1

5

Eye drops containing pilocarpine hydrochloride 20 mg per mL, 15 mL

Application to the eye

Isopto Carpine

1

5

Eye drops containing pilocarpine hydrochloride 40 mg per mL, 15 mL

Application to the eye

Isopto Carpine

1

5

Polyethylene glycol 400

Eye drops 2.5 mg per mL, 15 mL

Application to the eye

Blink Intensive Tears

1

5

Eye drops 2.5 mg per mL, single dose units 0.4 mL, 20

Application to the eye

Blink Intensive Tears

5

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

Soy lecithin

Eye spray 10 mg per mL, 10 mL

Application

tearsagain

2

5

Sulfacetamide

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

Application to the eye

Bleph 10

1

2

Timolol

Eye drops 2.5 mg (as maleate) per mL, 5 mL

Application to the eye

Tenopt

Timoptol

1

5

Eye drops 5 mg (as maleate) per mL, 5 mL

Application to the eye

Tenopt

Timoptol

1

5

Eye drops (gellan gum solution) 2.5 mg (as maleate) per mL, 2.5 mL

Application to the eye

Timoptol XE

1

5

Eye drops (gellan gum solution) 5 mg (as maleate) per mL, 2.5 mL

Application to the eye

Timoptol XE

1

5

Eye gel 1 mg (as maleate) per g, 5 g

Application to the eye

Nyogel

1

5

Travoprost

Eye drops 40 micrograms per mL, 2.5 mL

Application to the eye

Travatan

1

5

Travoprost with Timolol

Eye drops 40 micrograms travoprost with timolol 5 mg (as maleate) per mL, 2.5 mL

Application to the eye

Duotrav

1

5

\n```\n\n> Notes to the Determination — Prescription of pharmaceutical benefits by authorised optometrists \n> (PB 11 of 2009)\n\n> Note 1\n\n> Note: The Determination — Prescription of pharmaceutical benefits by authorised optometrists (PB 11 of 2009) (in force under subsections 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 11 of 2009 | 12 Feb 2009 (see F2009L00427) | 1 Mar 2009 | |\n| PB 27 of 2009 | 20 Mar 2009 (see F2009L01118) | 1 Apr 2009 | — |\n| PB 52 of 2009 | 11 June 2009 (see F2009L02292) | 1 July 2009 | — |\n| PB 67 of 2009 | 10 July 2009 (see F2009L02716) | 1 Aug 2009 | — |\n| PB 111 of 2009 | 20 Nov 2009 (see F2009L04285) | 1 Dec 2009 | — |\n| PB 19 of 2010 | 17 Mar 2010 (see F2010L00677) | 1 Apr 2010 | — |\n| PB 37 of 2010 | 15 Apr 2010 (see F2010L00939) | 1 May 2010 | — |\n| PB 71 of 2010 | 16 July 2010 (see F2010L02064) | 1 Aug 2010 | — |\n| PB 98 of 2010 | 29 Oct 2010 (see F2010L02857) | 1 Nov 2010 | — |\n\n> Note: > Note: Table of Amendments\n\n

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

Provision affected

How affected

Schedule 1

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

am. PB 27, 52, 67 and 111 of 2009; PB 19, 37, 71 and 98 of 2010

\n```","sortOrder":8}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"_metrics":{"model":"kimi-k2.5","source":"moonshot-realtime","completionTokens":2964},"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The instrument maintains its original purpose of defining which pharmaceutical benefits authorised optometrists may prescribe under the PBS. Subsequent amendments update the specific drug list (Schedule 1) by adding or removing medications and brands, but this represents routine formulary maintenance rather than expansion beyond the original legislative intent of enabling optometric prescribing."},"complexity_factors":["Extensive tabular schedule (Schedule 1) with 8 columns of technical pharmaceutical specifications","Brand-specific restrictions requiring exact product matching (not just generic drug names)","Precise dosage form and concentration requirements (e.g., 'Eye drops containing dorzolamide 20 mg (as hydrochloride) with timolol 5 mg (as maleate) per mL')","Cross-references to parent Act provisions (National Health Act 1953, ss 85A and 88)","Dual-column structure distinguishing between general supply and 'particular purposes' (purpose codes)"],"plain_english_summary":"This determination lets authorised optometrists prescribe a specified list of eye medicines under the PBS — antibiotics, glaucoma treatments, anti‑inflammatory drops and lubricants — so patients can obtain subsidised eye drugs directly from their optometrist.\n\nPrescriptions must match the determination’s exact requirements (specified concentrations/forms, listed brands, quantity and repeat limits), so optometrists cannot substitute unlisted strengths, formulations or brands."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Determination replaces the prior instrument PB 116 of 2008 (s2) and updates the list of pharmaceutical benefits and prescribing rules for authorised optometrists. Schedule 1 — which identifies each listed drug, its allowable form, manner of administration, maximum quantity, maximum repeats and purpose codes — has been amended multiple times (see Notes/Table of Instruments and Table of Amendments). Sections 4–9 set the mechanics by which those Schedule entries govern optometrist prescriptions under ss 85A and 88(1C) of the Act."},"complexity_factors":["Detailed Schedule 1 listing dozens of pharmaceutical benefits with precise formulations, brands and package sizes (many line-items).","Multiple prescription constraints to apply per item: form (s4), maximum quantity/units (s5), maximum repeats (s6) and manner of administration (s7).","Cross-reference to National Health Act powers for optometrist prescribing (subsections 85A(1),(2) and 88(1C)) and to Acts Interpretation Act for multiple forms (s3 and s4 note).","Amendment and repeal history: instrument repeals PB 116 of 2008 (s2) and Schedule 1 amended by several subsequent PB instruments listed in the Notes/Table of Instruments and Table of Amendments.","Use of purpose codes to identify particular authorised purposes within items (s9) creates an additional mapping step for prescribers and dispensers.","Operational compliance burden for prescribers and pharmacists to match exactly the Schedule descriptions (form, dose, pack, repeats) before PBS supply.","Formatting and presentation complexity derived from table structure (brands, multiple forms per active ingredient, single-dose vs multi-dose entries)."],"plain_english_summary":"This determination authorises authorised optometrists to write PBS prescriptions for the specific eye medicines listed in Schedule 1 and sets the technical prescription rules — allowable form, maximum quantity, maximum repeats, manner of administration and any particular purposes. It affects authorised optometrists (who may prescribe), pharmacists (who must supply under those prescriptions) and patients receiving those PBS-listed ocular medicines. The instrument replaces an earlier instrument and has been updated by multiple amendment instruments (see Notes/Table of Amendments)."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/f2009l00427","history":"/api/acts/f2009l00427/history","analysis":"/api/acts/f2009l00427/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/f2009l00427/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/f2009l00427/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/f2009l00427/documents"}}