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Just a question... a friend's facebook post brought up

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Posted 1/16/2013 10:13 PM (GMT 0)
Ok, I'm hoping this doesn't turn into an unfriendly debate, let's respect everyone's opinions if you have them, this is just a question out of curiosity more than anything.

Anyways, I was just poking around Facebook a few minutes ago, and apparently, a friend of mine just found out the hard way that it's perfectly legal (at least in my state) for a doctor to prescribe that friend's pre-teen daughter birth control medication, without consenting, or informing the parent.

Can doctors do the same with all meds prescribed to these age ranges, IE 12 -18 years of age? A 12 year old could certainly find transportation to a doctor in most larger communities, would it be possible for someone that age to walk into a doctor's office, and get a script for pain meds, without the parents knowing?

I'm sure these laws are different in every state, but my friend's Facebook post brought that scary possibility into my head, figured some of you guys might have some knowledge on that.
Posted 1/16/2013 11:09 PM (GMT 0)
I have no idea on the answer to your question, however, I would imagine the birth control issue would be a state by state decision and could vary quite a bit from more liberal states to more conservative states.

I'm betting the answer on the pain meds is a big no because the teen is not legal to sign treatment documents, plus, they are not going to have all of the necessary info for appropriate treatment. I'm also betting they can't even pick them up at the pharmacy since a child under 17 can't even purchase cigarettes in my state and the legal age for alcohol is 21 here. I'm also thinking that birth control is considered on of those strange areas where privacy is protected by law in your area because there are issues with teen pregnancies. I know teens can go to our local health department and get condoms and can have routine STD evaluations without parental consent. The goal is to prevent accidental pregnancies and/or STD's. I'm not advocating either for or against the issue, just giving my general (& exceptionally basic knowledge) of how things work here.

I'm sad for your friend to have to face her situation. The surprise must have been a serious shock. I KNOW it would be for me. Just to be completely honest, my daughter (13) has been on birth control hormones since she was 11...not because she was sexually active, but for other female issues.
Posted 1/16/2013 11:19 PM (GMT 0)
I don't think that minors can get prescriptions (legally) for any type of opiate without their parent's knowledge.

Obviously there are many states around the U.S. that have made it where a minor can receive contraception help without their parent's knowledge and there are lists by state that show the exact rules.

There are also some provisions that were made to the HIPAA to where in certain cases minors can request privacy when it comes to things that involve sexual health like STDs, HIV/AIDS, substance abuse and mental health but it's fairly confusing and it also takes into account individual state laws with regards to this as well.


But for things like opiates..I think this is prohibited in all states.
Posted 1/17/2013 6:30 AM (GMT 0)
Hello! smurf

Being 17, I think I can answer this question, at least regarding the laws in the USA and/or just the state of Illinois!

Starting at the age of 14, I began having ovarian cysts rupture every month! After finding this out in the ER, I was given 3 options, one of those being birth control. That's the route we decided to take as it was of course the least invasive. So, my mom took me to planned parenthood and I was required to fill out all paperwork and my appointment was conducted without my mom, she stayed in the waiting room. Also, on my paperwork, there was a question asking if your parent/guardian was aware of the reason of you being here, yet even if they didn't the appointment would continue as it would with parent acknowledgement. They basically have this law in place to prevent teen pregnancies/STD's. While it sounds strange, I rather my daughter get the pill then to become pregnant or get an STD. Kids usually will find a way to do what they want, so better safe then sorry! You must be at least 12 to go alone. But they do ask for a medical insurance card to bill which you usually would have to get from your parents but they even have programs set up to pay for it all for free!

As for pain killers, there is no way you could walk in to a pain clinic and get some without your parents. I actually can't go to the pain clinic until I'm 18, which is why my PCP writes my scripts for now. I think it has to do with the whole contract signing thing. You can't hold a minor to a contract..

Hope that clears some things up. :)
Posted 1/17/2013 7:32 AM (GMT 0)
They will also do abortions for that age range with out parental consent in some states..which I find disturbing as that is a medical procedure with potential side effects a young girl will not understand...a woman from planned parenthood spoke at my daughters high school and was just about promoting it as a form of birth control....so I assume they would prescribe painkillers for that procedure without parental consent....
Posted 1/17/2013 9:40 AM (GMT 0)
There actually years ago had to be a law or amendment covering this pass,my memory sure isnt what it use to be! It only covers certain things such as birth control, abortion counseling , those kinds of things, it does not cover any other medical treatment or medications,it doesnt even cover sex education in the school systems without parental permission,leave it to go
figure right? Allow them birth control and abortion counseling but not teach the rights and wrongs of it,the proper vocabulary even if a parent says you cant.
Posted 1/17/2013 12:43 PM (GMT 0)
In Louisiana, a minor cannot pick up pain meds for someone else (though there is some pharmacist's discretion there, I've picked them up for my mom, but it was a pharmacy we had been going to for years, one of the old classic Rexall pharmacies, before WalMart and Walgreen's moved in, and the pharmacist knew my mom. He would call her if there were any questions).

The laws have tightened in the intervening years. I used to ride my bike when I was 12-13 to go get my mom's cigarettes. Life, as they say, is different now.

As I understand the current state law, a minor who has been prescribed pain meds has to have an adult (over 18 mother, father, grandmother, whatever, but at the same address) family member pick them up.

A minor does not need an adult to get birth control (I think) and can pick it up herself, but more independent pharmacies are getting snotty about that one. Huge Catholic population here in SW Louisiana.

That minor also cannot pick up any prescriptions for anyone else, including antibiotics, antifungals, BP meds, insulin, or anything else, unless the patient fills out a release form and it's only for one specific family member. This is for the elderly or disabled who may not have a car or the ability to drive. Pain meds still have to be over 18. They made it a blanket thing so nothing would get missed, and the law wouldn't have to be re-written.
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