Singapore - Practice Management Part 1 (PRA3A)

DISPENSING AND SALE OF SPECTACLES IN CLINIC TO PATIENTS

The SMA received an enquiry from an Ophthalmologist in private practice who is considering dispensing and selling spectacles to his patients in his clinic. The SMA wrote to the Singapore Society of Ophthalmology to seek its views with regards to the ethical issues pertaining to dispensing and sales of spectacles in clinics.

In his reply to us dated 2 November 1999, A/Prof Paul Chew, President of Singapore Society of Ophthalmology stated that "the Society has no ethical objections to Ophthalmologist dispensing spectacles, subject to the following provisos:

1. That the Ophthalmologist does not advertise his/her optometry services
2. That the buyer of the spectacles be a patient of the Ophthalmologist. If not, he is to be registered as one, receives an appropriate ophthalmic exam and is charged consultation fees. Buyers not registered as a patient with the Ophthalmologist should not be allowed to purchase spectacles from the Ophthalmologist.
3. That the Ophthalmologist dispensing the spectacles must ensure that he meets the necessary stipulations for doing so."

The SMA’s views concur with those of the Society of Ophthalmology. We would like to further add that the pricing of optometry services provided by doctors within their clinics should follow the principle of pricing of medicines during in-clinic dispensing, as published in "The Medical Profession and Pharmaceuticals", 1998. We would also like to reiterate that the general ethical principles in the SMA and SMC Ethical Codes should be observed.

16 August 2000