Senate Bill 2528

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 73-19-61, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE PERSONS TO SELL, PRESCRIBE OR DISPENSE FDA-APPROVED MEDICATED CONTACT LENSES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 73-19-61, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

73-19-61. It shall be unlawful for any person, persons, corporation, proprietorship, partnership, or any entity other than a licensed optometrist or licensed ophthalmologist to dispense, fit or prescribe to the public contact lenses, including federal Food and Drug Administration-approved medicated contact lenses, or any medical appliance having direct contact with the cornea of the eye. An optical dispenser may, however, fill the written contact lens prescription of a licensed optometrist or licensed ophthalmologist provided that such optical dispenser directs the wearer of the lenses back to the prescribing optometrist or ophthalmologist for verification of the proper fit of the lenses. Provided further, that this section does not authorize a licensed optometrist to sell, prescribe or dispense contact lenses medicated with a drug that is outside the licensed optometrist's scope of practice.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2010.