April 8, 2009 
From April 3rd to April 5th, 2009 very successfully was held an exhibition of eye optics and optometry in Belgrade, Serbia. For the first time in a new area of Expo Center. Organizer – Association of eye opticians and optometrists of Serbia in particular emphasizes the satisfaction with response of visitors and exhibitors.
Optician and optometrist Association of Serbia has requested from the Ministry of Health to modify existing regulations by which until 01 In August, all optical stores and wholesale trades must harmonise, it was said at the meeting which was attended by members of the Association in large numbers with the Ministry of Health, in Belgrade OPTA Fair 2009 which takes place from 03rd to 04th April 2009 in EXPO Center in Belgrade.
In front of the “Department of medicine and medical resources of the Ministry of Health, were present Tijana Radojčić, head of “Departments of medicine and medical products“ and Bojan Bukumirić, “Inspector for medicines and medical appliances”
• Association of opticians and optometrists of Serbia submitted requests to the Ministry of Health
• Necessary changes of rules for survival of 800 optical stores and more than 3000 employees
Speaking about the problems facing the opticians, Vojislav Sarac, member of the board, optician, said that opticians in Serbia have most problems in Europe and that these problems must be solved in order for the profession to have a chance to survive.
All optical stores and wholesale trades have to register until October 01, 2009 to the Ministry of Health, according to the Rules of the Law on medicines and medical resources.
According to the opinions of the Association who gathered in large numbers, these rules and the law itself caused great problems and questioned the existence of more than 800 optical stores in Serbia and 3000 employees.
According to existing regulations, prescription frame is classified into the category of medical resources, which makes the stores to re-register in the Ministry of Health.
According to the words of Bojan Bukumirović from the Ministry of Health, so far license for the wholesale was given to between 15 and 20 companies that deal with it, and when it comes to retail (optical shops), only few of them so far occurred in Ministry of Health and asked permit.
Tijana Radojčić, head of “Departments of medicine and medical products,” urged all opticians to legalize and submit a request by the existing Ordinance until October 01.
Under the existing rule every optical shop must have at least 35 square meters, and most of them do not currently meet this size. In most European countries the size of retail space is not limited. Also, the Ordinance provides that prescription frames as medical products should not be at hand, which prevents the customer to test the framework.
Sales of contact lenses is permitted for those with secondary education, and liquid for lenses requirese university educated staff.
With wholesale: to import one eyeglass framework, it needs month to collect extensive documentation from the manufacturer, and then register it in the “Agency for medicines.” Agency, according to the Regulations, has a period of 8 months for the issuance of the Decision. In the meantime, such a framework may not be imported or sold and is no longer fashionable.
Ordinance also providesthe obligation for opticians to have employed doctor or pharmacist who works in a warehouse which is also caused by unnecessary large square footage and layout of space.
“This gathering reflects the mood of our profession to existing regulations. We are glad that we had the opportunity to meet with the Ministry of Health and to voice our suggestions. We are a specific profession and not all the rules that apply to medical products worth for optical services too. It is necessary to change the Law and adopt Ordinance which reflects the specificity. We hope that Ministry will see that necessity, because we are all together in a big problem, noted Zora Sarac, president of the Association of Serbian opticians and optometrists.
The association asked that it should be introduced a profession of optometrist – person who measures diopter for contact lenses and glasses, which in most European countries exist fort already 40 years.
Author: Aleksandra Hristov, Belgrade 4/4/2009