Regulation - LGIC
Proposed Regulatory Amendments to Ontario Regulation 112/11 Designated Drugs and Standards of Practice made under the Optometry Act, 1991
Regulation Number(s):
Ontario Regulation 112/11
Instrument Type:
Regulation - LGIC
Bill or Act:
Optometry Act, 1991
Summary of Proposal:
College Introduction
In Ontario, the regulation of health professions is based on a self-governance model. There are 26 health regulatory colleges governing 28 health professions under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA) and their respective health profession Acts.
Under the RHPA and the Optometry Act, 1991, the College of Optometrists of Ontario (College) is responsible for governing the profession of optometry. Under these Acts, the College has the authority to make regulations on a variety of subjects, including prescribing drugs. The proposed regulation amendments are subject to prior review by the Minister of Health and the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.
Summary
As part of the Ontario 2019 budget, the government announced that it will enable regulated health professionals to use their education and training more effectively by expanding the scope of practice for certain regulated health professionals. This commitment was further iterated in the 2019 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review.
The proposal made by the College is intended to ensure that optometrists have access to the most up-to-date and relevant drug treatments and therapies for their clients by removing the list of drugs set out in regulation and replacing it with broad categories of drugs from which optometrists may prescribe.
The College's proposal is not final. The ministry will consider the feedback received prior to bringing it forward to the Minister of Health for her review and prior to seeking the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.
In Ontario, the regulation of health professions is based on a self-governance model. There are 26 health regulatory colleges governing 28 health professions under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA) and their respective health profession Acts.
Under the RHPA and the Optometry Act, 1991, the College of Optometrists of Ontario (College) is responsible for governing the profession of optometry. Under these Acts, the College has the authority to make regulations on a variety of subjects, including prescribing drugs. The proposed regulation amendments are subject to prior review by the Minister of Health and the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.
Summary
As part of the Ontario 2019 budget, the government announced that it will enable regulated health professionals to use their education and training more effectively by expanding the scope of practice for certain regulated health professionals. This commitment was further iterated in the 2019 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review.
The proposal made by the College is intended to ensure that optometrists have access to the most up-to-date and relevant drug treatments and therapies for their clients by removing the list of drugs set out in regulation and replacing it with broad categories of drugs from which optometrists may prescribe.
The College's proposal is not final. The ministry will consider the feedback received prior to bringing it forward to the Minister of Health for her review and prior to seeking the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
The proposed amendments are expected to have no compliance costs. Optometrists currently have the knowledge, skill, and judgement to safely and competently prescribe drugs from the proposed categories.
Further Information:
College consultation proposed Amendments to the Designated Drugs & Standards of Practice Regulation
Draft Regulation
(Download Adobe Reader)
Proposal Number:
20-HLTC028
Posting Date:
June 12, 2020
Comments Due Date:
July 27, 2020
Contact Address:
N/A
Proposal Status:
Proposal in progess.