(a) Notwithstanding Section 2543, a pharmacist may dispense replacement contact lenses pursuant to a valid prescription of a physician or optometrist. Nothing in this section authorizes a pharmacist to conduct an examination of the eyes or to fit or adjust contact lenses. For purposes of this section, “replacement contact lenses” means soft contact lenses that require no fitting or adjustment, and that are dispensed as packaged and sealed by the manufacturer.

(b) No replacement contact lenses may be sold or dispensed except pursuant to a prescription that meets all of the following requirements:

(1) Conforms to state and federal statutes and regulations governing those prescriptions and includes the name, address, and state license number of the prescribing practitioner.

(2) Explicitly states an expiration date of not more than one year from the date of the last prescribing examination.

(3) Explicitly states that the prescription is for contact lenses and includes the lens brand name, type, and tint, including all specifications necessary for the ordering of lenses.

(c) The contact lenses that are dispensed shall be the exact contact lenses that have been prescribed, and no substitutions shall be made.

(d) Any pharmacist and pharmacy that dispenses replacement contact lenses shall direct the patient to confer with his or her eyecare practitioner in the event of any eye problem or reaction to the lenses.

(e) Any pharmacist and pharmacy that sells replacement contact lenses shall provide the following or substantially equivalent written notification to the patient whenever contact lenses are supplied:

WARNING: IF YOU ARE HAVING ANY UNEXPLAINED EYE DISCOMFORT, WATERING, VISION CHANGE, OR REDNESS, REMOVE YOUR LENSES IMMEDIATELY AND CONSULT YOUR EYE CARE PRACTITIONER BEFORE WEARING YOUR LENSES AGAIN.

(f) Any pharmacy and pharmacist dispensing replacement contact lenses shall be subject to all statutes, regulations, and ordinances governing the advertisement of contact lenses. In addition, any advertisement by a pharmacy or pharmacist that mentions replacement contact lenses shall include within the advertisement all fees, charges, and costs associated with the purchase of the lenses from that pharmacy and pharmacist.

(g) Any pharmacy dispensing replacement contact lenses shall register with the Medical Board of California at the time of initial application for a license or at the time of annual renewal of that license.

(h) All nonresident pharmacies shall maintain records of replacement contact lenses shipped, mailed, or delivered to persons in California for a period of at least three years. The records shall be available for inspection upon request by the board or the Division of Licensing of the Medical Board of California.

(i) The requirements of this section are applicable to nonresident pharmacies as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 4112. A nonresident pharmacy may dispense contact lenses only as provided in this section.

(Repealed and added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 890, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1997.)