{"id":"F2007L04915","name":"National Health Act 1953 - Determination under subsections 85A(1) and (2) and 88(1C) - Prescription of pharmaceutical benefits by authorised Optometrists (No. PB 10 of 2008)","slug":"national-health-act-1953-determination-under-subsections-85a-1-and-2-and-88-1c-prescription-of-pharm","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"repealed","isInForce":false,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":138976,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2007L04915-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","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Repealed","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"National Health Act 1953 - Determination under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 10 of 2008)","content":"![](image.001.png)\n\nDetermination — Prescription of pharmaceutical benefits by authorised Optometrists (PB 10 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 April 2008 \ntaking into account amendments up to PB 35 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 10 of 2008)\n\n1 Commencement \\[see Note 1\\]\n\nThis Instrument commences on 1 January 2008.\n\n2 Definition\n\nIn this Instrument:\n\nAct means the National Health Act 1953.\n\n3 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\n4 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\n5 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\n6 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\n7 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\n8 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

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

..

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

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 10 of 2008)\n\n> Note 1\n\n> Note: The Determination — Prescription of pharmaceutical benefits by authorized optometrists (PB 10 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 10 of 2008 | 20 Dec 2007 (see F2007L04915) | 1 Jan 2008 | |\n| PB 17 of 2008 | 9 Jan 2008 (see F2008L00038) | 1 Feb 2008 | — |\n| PB 35 of 2008 | 19 Mar 2008 (see F2008L00700) | 1 Apr 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 17 and 35 of 2008

\n```","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"_metrics":{"model":"kimi-k2.5","source":"moonshot-realtime","completionTokens":2201},"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Determination maintains its original scope of authorising optometrist prescribing rights for specific ophthalmic pharmaceutical benefits. Subsequent amendments updated the Schedule of listed medications but did not expand beyond eye care treatments."},"complexity_factors":["Schedule 1 contains detailed pharmaceutical specifications including chemical compositions (e.g., 'carmellose sodium 10 mg per mL') and specific brand names","Cross-references to multiple subsections of the National Health Act 1953 (85A and 88)","Technical measurement requirements for quantities, concentrations, and volumes","Dual-column structure for general versus particular purposes of supply","Specific administration restrictions (application to the eye only)"],"plain_english_summary":"This Determination allows authorised optometrists to prescribe specified PBS-listed eye medicines (antibiotics, antivirals, anti‑inflammatories, allergy treatments, and lubricating drops/gels) without a prior doctor visit. It limits prescriptions to particular product forms/brands, sets quantity and repeat limits (commonly 1–3 units and up to five repeats), and requires ocular-only administration. The change expands optometrists’ prescribing rights, giving patients faster, subsidised treatment for common eye conditions and reducing unnecessary GP or specialist visits."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The instrument's operative list of authorised pharmaceutical benefits (Schedule 1) was amended after initial registration: PB17 of 2008 and PB35 of 2008 are recorded as amendments to Schedule 1 (Notes/Table of Amendments). Commencement and amendment dates are shown in the Table of Instruments (Notes). These amendments alter which products an authorised optometrist may prescribe under the Determination (see Notes/Table of Amendments and Schedule 1)."},"complexity_factors":["Legal cross‑references to the National Health Act: instrument made under ss 85A(1)–(2) and 88(1C) of the Act (preamble).","Detailed Schedule 1 listing many pharmaceutical benefits with per‑item rules on form, maximum quantity, repeats and manner of administration (ss 3–6; Schedule 1).","Use of purpose codes and a separate lower‑part mapping for particular purposes (s 8) increases lookup complexity for users.","Operational compliance burden on authorised optometrists and pharmacists to follow per‑item constraints when prescribing/supplying (ss 4–6, 7).","Multiple amendments and commencement entries: PB10 (commenced 1 Jan 2008), PB17 (1 Feb 2008) and PB35 (1 Apr 2008) recorded in Notes/Table of Instruments (Notes).","Tabular presentation with brand names, varying dosage forms and single‑dose vs multi‑unit packs increases administrative and dispensing complexity.","Statutory interplay: the Determination prescribes technical details but relies on the Act for overarching authorisation and definitions (definition section)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Determination authorises specified optometrists to write prescriptions for the ocular pharmaceutical benefits listed in Schedule 1 and fixes, for each listed product, the allowable form, maximum quantity, permitted repeats and manner of administration (ss 3–7). It directly affects authorised optometrists, pharmacists who will supply the listed products, and patients, by defining which eye medicines an optometrist may prescribe and the precise supply limits. Schedule 1 was amended by PB17 and PB35 of 2008 (Notes/Table of Amendments)."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/national-health-act-1953-determination-under-subsections-85a-1-and-2-and-88-1c-prescription-of-pharm","history":"/api/acts/national-health-act-1953-determination-under-subsections-85a-1-and-2-and-88-1c-prescription-of-pharm/history","analysis":"/api/acts/national-health-act-1953-determination-under-subsections-85a-1-and-2-and-88-1c-prescription-of-pharm/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/national-health-act-1953-determination-under-subsections-85a-1-and-2-and-88-1c-prescription-of-pharm/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/national-health-act-1953-determination-under-subsections-85a-1-and-2-and-88-1c-prescription-of-pharm/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/national-health-act-1953-determination-under-subsections-85a-1-and-2-and-88-1c-prescription-of-pharm/documents"}}