Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Health Professions
Board
Board of Optometry
chapter
Regulations of the Virginia Board of Optometry [18 VAC 105 ‑ 20]
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Action:
Addition of gabapentin to TPA formulary
Action 5375
 
General Information
Action Summary House bill 2557 placed the drug gabapentin as a controlled substance in Schedule V. Regulations of the Board of Optometry currently prohibit optometrists from prescribing Schedule V drugs. Since July 1, 2019, optometrists have not been able to prescribe gabapentin; therefore, the only alternative they now have for pain control for certain patients is prescribing of an opioid. To remediate the problem, the Board is amending 18VAC105-20-47 to add gabapentin to the TPA formulary. There is also a correction to that section to reflect that there is an exception allowed in A 1 for prescribing hydrocodone in combination with acetaminophen. Subsections A and B are currently inconsistent.
Chapters Affected Only affects this chapter.
Executive Branch Review This Action is exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act. The normal executive branch review process is not required. As such, it can be submitted directly for publication and is effective upon publication.
Exempt Citation: 2.2-4002(14)
RIS Project Yes  [006134]
New Periodic Review This action will not be used to conduct a new periodic review.
 
Stages
Stages associated with this regulatory action.
Stage ID Stage Type Status
8745 Proposed Stage complete. Comment period ended 10/30/2019.
8818 Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 01/22/2020.
 
Contact Information
Name / Title: Leslie L. Knachel  / Executive Director
Address: 9960 Mayland Drive
Suite 300
Henrico, VA 23233
Email Address: leslie.knachel@dhp.virginia.gov
Phone: (804)597-4130    FAX: (804)793-9145    TDD: ()-

This person is the primary contact for this board.