Is this considered against the law?

Question

My father suffers from a rather bad heart condition. If he doesn't certain pills a blood vessel in his head is at risk of erupting. His doctor refuses to call in his medication without first having my father come to his office, even though the doctor is aware of how serious the condition is.

*NOTE*

My father has been rushed by ambulance to the hospital twice in the past 4 months for this problem.

Answer 1

If the physician is any type of good physician, he would not prescribe any medications without seeing your father first and making an assessment.  

Your father's physician is doing the right thing.  What if he just prescribed him medication and he had  a stroke or died, because he did not see your father first in person and assess his condition to make sure he is giving him the correct medication in the correct dosage.  Make an appointment and get your father in to see him.  The sooner  the better.  

Answer 2

No, its not against the law. Maybe he should look into getting a different doctor, maybe one who is a little more sympathetic to his condition.

Answer 3

Most doctors refuse to telephone in refills. Escpecially with a heart condition medication. He IS in the right to refuse to do so.

Is there some sort of reason the Doctor wont give your father some refills or a larger prescription?

Seems silly to me that if your father has been taking the medication for some time and has had no adverse reaction that he shouldn't be given a longer prescription or some refills.

Sounds a little to me like this doctor could be encouraging extra visits for extra cash...tell your father to ask for a refill or two the next time he visits.  

Answer 4

Yes. Call your lawyer.

Answer 5

It IS against the law for a physician to prescribe medication to a patient for whom he is not seeing.  Your physician is RIGHT.  Just take your dad to the doctor.  He is risking his own health by not following the doctor's orders, which includes coming in to renew the prescription.

Answer 6

It is both illegal and unethical for a doctor to prescribe medication to a patient that he is not seeing. If the doctor did prescribe your dad this medication without seeing him in the office he could face legal problems and possibly have his medical license or DEA license revoked.

If your dad has such a serious condition, then he should be more than happy to see the doctor as often as he needs to get it checked on.  

Answer 7

First of all, if you are unhappy with the Doctor, change Doctors

A condition as you describe is very serious and needs close supervision. Therefore I understand the Doctor's   request.

The medication seems to be of vital importance to your father

and therefore I suggest, that your Father see any Doctors ASAP.

Ingrid