Automatic Prescription Release Means Consumers Don't Have to Buy Contact
Lenses from Eye Doctors
DRAPER, Utah, Nov. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Fairness to Contact
Lens Consumers Act passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 406 to 12
on Wednesday and passed the Senate without opposition Thursday night. The Act
gives 36 million Americans the right to choose where they buy contact lenses.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990917/1800CONTACTS )
Jonathan Coon, Chief Executive Officer of 1-800 CONTACTS, said, "We
applaud this legislation. The Act creates a national standard for
prescription release and verification and gives contact lens wearers the same
rights that eyeglass wearers have enjoyed for 25 years."
Specifically, the Act provides these benefits for contact lens wearers:
1. Automatic Prescription Release. Directs eye care providers to give
patients their prescription as soon as they've been fitted, whether
they ask for it or not.
2. Prescription Verification. Creates a workable and fair prescription
verification system for sellers and prescribers and addresses the
practices of some online sellers who do little or no verification.
The Act requires all sellers to verify prescriptions and give eye care
providers an opportunity to respond. If an eye care provider fails to
respond within 8 business hours, the prescription is presumed
verified.
3. Minimum expiration period. Prescriptions will be valid for a minimum
of one year or the minimum period required by state law -- whichever
is greater. The expiration period begins only after the eye care
provider gives the prescription to the consumer.
The Act also orders the Federal Trade Commission to study the industry and
submit a report to Congress within 12 months. The study will address, among
other things, doctor exclusive brands and the impact they have on competition.
"This Act works for consumers, eye care providers and retailers alike,"
said Jonathan Coon. "Contact lens wearers will have more choice, eye care
providers will be freed to focus on eye care, and retailers can more freely
compete on pricing, convenience and customer service."
"By creating a national standard, we believe this Act significantly
reduces several complexities which have plagued this industry for years," said
Brian Bethers, Chief Financial Officer of 1-800 CONTACTS. "We expect it to
take time before we see the full impact of the Act as consumers, eye care
providers, and other retailers become familiar with its requirements."
The Act becomes law sixty days after being signed by the president.
1-800 CONTACTS (Nasdaq: CTAC) offers consumers an attractive alternative
for obtaining replacement contact lenses in terms of convenience, price and
speed of delivery. Through its easy-to-remember, toll-free telephone number,
"1-800 CONTACTS" (1-800-266-8228), and its Internet web site,
http://www.contacts.com , the Company sells all of the popular brands of contact
lenses. 1-800 CONTACTS offers products at competitive prices, while delivering
a high level of customer service.
This news release contains forward-looking statements about the Company's
future business prospects as a result of the passage of the Act. These
statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those set forth in or implied by such
forward-looking statements.
SOURCE 1-800 CONTACTS, INC.
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Related links:
http://www.contacts.com
Photo Notes:http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990917/1800CONTACTS
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, +1-888-776-6555 or +1-212-782-2840
CONTACT:
Kevin McCallum, Corporate Spokesperson,
+1-801-924-9826, media@contacts.com, or Brian W. Bethers, Chief
Financial Officer, +1-801-924-9800, investor@contacts.com, both
of 1-800 CONTACTS, INC.
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