Can someone tell me what's happening in SC?

[171590]

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I picked this up on a Google alert

http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20090428/OPINION/904280321/1004/NEWS01

Sounds like another hopeful scope of practice expansion. What is the current law? What are they trying to gain? (what kinds of "surgery" & drug rights specifically?) I thought South Carolina could already prescribe glaucoma drugs topically and orally.

 

[VA Hopeful Dr]

I picked this up on a Google alert

http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20090428/OPINION/904280321/1004/NEWS01

Sounds like another hopeful scope of practice expansion. What is the current law? What are they trying to gain? (what kinds of "surgery" & drug rights specifically?) I thought South Carolina could already prescribe glaucoma drugs topically and orally.

The bill has already been tabled for this Legislative Session.

In my reading of the bill 2 months ago, I got 3 major points out of it.

1) Expansion of drug rights, specifically orals and removing the provision that after 21 days of oral steroids an OD must consult with an MD.

2) Allowing subconjunctival/eyelid injections and removal of anatomic defects in the same area.

3) Making the wording of what an OD isn't allowed to do much more specific instead of specifying exactly what they can do.

Here's the link to the bill. http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess118_2009-2010/bills/3303.htm

I'd be happy to answer any specific questions, though I'll admit now a slight MD bias (but much less than most, as my background plays a significant role).