Availability of 100-hour TPA Courses
Optometrists who wish to be able to prescribe therapeutic pharmaceutical agents (TPAs) when the enabling legislation is enacted must have obtained the required education as detailed in the College’s Therapeutic Pharmaceutical Agents Policy: Educational Requirements for Members to Prescribe Drugs (TPA Education Policy).
Depending on your year of graduation, compliance may include successfully completing a course of a minimum 100 hours in the treatment and management of ocular disease approved by the Council or that meets the criteria set by the Council (100-hr TPA course).
Nova Southeastern University is offering a 100-hour TPA course in the summer of 2010. The 100-hours of didactic education offered as parts I and II of this course, along with successful completion of the course exam, meet the requirements of the TPA Education Policy.
In addition, the following providers have indicated that they would deliver a 100-hour TPA course if enough optometrists showed an interest:
University of Waterloo School of Optometry, Elizabeth Reidt (ejreidt@uwaterloo.ca)
Salus University, Janet Wilbur, (jwilbur@salus.edu)
Please keep in mind that some providers may require more registrants than others before a course is delivered, so contacting every provider will give you the best chance of obtaining the education you need.
Optometrists who do not wish to prescribe TPAs – and who will not prescribe TPAs – once the enabling legislation is in effect are not required to comply with the College’s TPA Education Policy.
Proof of TPA Education
Closer to the time that the TPA Regulation is brought into force, the College will invite members to submit documentation to support their TPA education. The following describes the proof of TPA education that the College recommends that members be prepared to produce:
Proof of TPA Education
Council refines educational requirements
In anticipation that the profession of optometry will be authorized to TPAs, Council approved the Educational Requirements for Members to Prescribe Drugs policy. This policy is designed to ensure that all members who prescribe TPAs, are competent to do so. The Registration Committee, charged with the task of drafting the policy for Council approval, felt that it was important to ensure that members who wish to be authorized to prescribe TPAs have an appropriate educational background, proof of competence and currency of knowledge.
On June 12, 2008, Council reconsidered the TPA policy and approved some changes to increase fairness to members as follows:
TPA policy, amended June 12, 2008: Educational Requirements for Members to Prescribe Drugs
Flow charts, designed to facilitate the understanding of the amended TPA policy but not to replace it, have also been amended:
TPA flow charts, amended June 12, 2008
Members are encouraged to carefully review the amended Educational Requirements for Members to Prescribe Drugs Policy to see where their own education and qualifications fit in and to determine what, if any, upgrading or continuing education program they may need to complete.
