Optical Prism September 2015 | Page 46

Glimpses published in Canada Gazette on October 18, 2014 for consultation. Comments were overwhelming in support of the new regulations, particularly from vision care professional groups. The new regulations relating to non-corrective contact lenses will come into effect July 16, 2016. ADLENS SIGNS EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTION DEAL WITH D&COMPANY NORDIC AB GOVERNMENT ADOPTS MEASURES TO MAKE COSMETIC CONTACT LENSES SAFER. The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Health, announced today that Health Canada is advancing regulations that will require the same medical-device safety standards for non-corrective or ‘cosmetic’ contact lenses as prescription or corrective contact lenses. ‘Cosmetic’ contact lenses (also called decorative lenses) are used to change the colour or appearance of the eyes and are typically sold by costume and cosmetic retailers. These types of lenses have been regulated as consumer products. However the risks of decorative lenses are identical to the risks of corrective lenses and adverse events causing harm and even permanent damage to the eyes are not uncommon. As medical devices, cosmetic contact lenses will be subject to specific requirements for licensing, manufacturing, labeling, and instructions to improve their safety before they go on the market. The proposed changes to the Medical Device Regulations were 46 Optical Prism | September 2015 Adlens®, the global leader in adjustable focus eyewear, has signed a new distribution partnership with D&Company Nordic AB, opening doors for consumers to discover Adlens adjustable focus eyewear across the Nordic and Baltic states. D&Company, a start-up company founded in 2014, will become the exclusive distributor for the optical channel in Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland, and the exclusive distributor for all channels in Denmark, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. They will begin to sell Adlens AdjustablesTM, Adlens SundialsTM and Adlens InterfaceTM from June 2015. Ralph Dahlin, CEO and founder of D&Company, said: "We are thrilled to add Adlens to the company's starting product portfolio. Adlens has created a new category within eyewear that we find very appealing and they embody the innovative spirit that we want to have as a company. We are also excited to be partnered with a company launching a new generation of prescription adjustable lenses, a genuine game changer for the optical trade which we look forward to bringing to the Nordic market in the near future.” WESTGROUPE APPOINTS MICHAEL DEBONO EXECUTIVE VP OF GLOBAL SALES WestGroupe has appointed Michael Debono to the position of Executive Vice-President of Global Sales. Based in Toronto, Ontario, Michael will lead the global development and implementation of strategic sales. Michael joined WestGroupe in June 2005 as Canadian National Sales Manager where he oversaw the expansion of the Canadian sales force. He was promoted to Vice President of North American Sales in March 2010, and has been instrumental in the global gro wF