It is now proposed to remove the absolute prohibition on the prescription and administration of drugs in order to allow optometrists to carry out their professional function, while stopping short of facilitating their medical treatment of an injury or disease of the eye. However, in order to limit the use of drugs by optometrists, the following additional changes are being made in conjunction with the deletions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of section 48(1). Article 14 of the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations 1996 will be amended, simultaneously as the Bill is enacted, to ensure that opticians will have limited access to just three diagnostic drugs. Under the amended regulations, optometrists will be unable to carry out therapeutic treatment as they will not be permitted access to therapeutic drugs. Control of the use of certain medicines by opticians would be put clearly within the remit of the Minister for Health and Children, and would safeguard against the use of potentially dangerous drugs in future. In addition, the regulations will stipulate that optometrists may use these drugs in the course of their professional practice only.