New Government Policy; No Rx Needed For Consumer Purchase Of Contact Lenses

A recent surprise move in Canada has local OD's up in arms. Here's how this could affect your US based eyecare practice. 

Jobson is reporting that Kevin Falcon, the Health Minister in the northwest province of British Columbia, recently approved a change in the law that will allow consumers to purchase prescription contact lenses and spectacles WITHOUT an exam or a doctor's Rx.

The legislation also contains a provision allowing opticians to perform vision tests on 'healthy' adults and issue a prescription without the approval of an MD or OD.

So what? I practice in the US

No, I don't look for many of your patients to travel to Vancouver, British Columbia to get an eye exam from an optician.

However, ordering replacement contact lenses, even glasses, without an Rx is another story. As you are no doubt aware, US citizens have been ordering prescription medications from Canadian pharmacies for years as a way to save money. Search Google if you want to see hundreds of ads for this service.

Can your US patients order product from Canada?

I just called a company I found online by the name of Canada Drug Center.com (877.270.3784) to see how the process works. They do require a doctor's legitimate Rx for prescription medications (not eyewear). Once the order is confirmed, they ship your meds from Canada to the US via the US Postal Service. 

Because of our competitive retail in the US market for replacement contact lenses, it remains to be seen if consumers will save much, if any, money buying online from Canada.

However, it is now easy for someone with an expired contact lens Rx to skip their annual appointment and get refills, apparently with no questions asked, from an online optical seller in British Columbia.

What about consumers who want to try contacts?

Or, much, much worse. A curious teenage wearing glasses may decide to 'experiment' and fit themselves with contact lenses... after all, it must be ok if the government allows it.

My advice is to forget trying to stop, or even hide, the sale of product from alternate, low cost, providers. The information is too prevalent. You just have to provide a level of consumer education, price and service that makes patients want to come back to you.

Regards,

Jerry Hayes, OD

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