The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is currently seeking public comments on proposed changes to the Contact Lens Rule.
In place since August 2004, the Contact Lens Rule reportedly helps promote competition in the retail sale of contact lenses by facilitating consumers’ ability to comparison shop for contact lenses. The Rule requires eye care prescribers to provide patients with a copy of their contact lens prescription, and required contact lens vendors to sell contact lenses only when they are presented with a valid prescription from either the patient or prescriber, or has verified via direct communication with the prescriber.
In September 2015, the FTC reportedly asked for public comment on the costs, benefits and impact of the Rule as part of a systematic review. After receiving and reviewing 660 comments, the FTC has determined it would be beneficial to increase compliance with the automatic prescription release requirement. The FTC is proposing to amend the Rule to require prescribers to obtain a signed acknowledgement after releasing a contact lens prescription to a patient, and to maintain it for at least three years. Additionally, the FTC is looking to remove the words "private label" from Section 315.5(e) of the Rule.
The FTC is inviting the public to submit comments on these proposed changes, which must be received on or before January 30, 2017. All comments received will reportedly be posted on the FTC's website.
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Source: Federal Trade Commission