This document provides information which should underpin the decision-making and actions of orthoptists who are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as having access to exemptions within Human Medicines Regulations 2012 to be able to supply and administer listed prescription only medicines (POMs) and pharmacy (P) medicines.

This document is ‘guidance’. ‘Guidance’ is information which an orthoptist has a duty to consider and is expected to take into account as part of their decision-making process. This document provides advice on the behaviours and conduct expected of orthoptists who are annotated on the HCPC register as able to access exemptions. Throughout this document the use of the word ‘must’ indicates a legal and/or regulatory requirement and describes a mandatory action and/or behaviour. The use of the word ‘should’ indicates behaviours and/ or actions that would be expected to occur in all normal circumstances. Each section of this guidance carries equal weight and the document is not ordered in any priority.