can friends write friends scripts?

[oscurochu]

I might have to find a new doctor soon. My insurance doesn't cover my first doctor. I haven't seen another doctor since about march or april, until recently. I admitted to using meth to my doctor during the first visit, because I wanted to be open with him, but I feel like he's judged me. He didn't mention psychotherapy and alternative non-drug treatments until after he found out about the meth, but maybe that's just a coincidence. When I told him I didn't want to take adderall everyday (i only wanna use it the days i go to school, and im not in school right now anyways), because I dont wanna feel like a drug addict that can't live without it, he immediately brings meth back up.

Just recently, I found out my friend's dad is a psychiatrist. I was told that if I ever need adderall, or any medication for my adhd, to come into his office and he will write a prescription for me. I asked how much I would be charged, and apparently since I'm a friend, I won't be charged for the visit. I offered to pay anyways, but he said he makes enough and doesn't need it.

Is there anything illegal about this? It just seems too good to be true, especially since I just wasted my last $50 on my last doctor, and he only wanted to write me a script for a two week supply. He wanted me to come back in two weeks, but still....

[EYEFORGOT]

That sounds like it would be, as you're not his patient. The idea is not to just get medication when you need/want it; the idea is to keep an eye on how you're doing and to switch meds or adjust dosage as needed. Someone who's truly dedicated to your health doesn't just flippantly write a script.

I hope you find someone who works well with you. Good luck.

[Abi]

Ask him to have his assistant open a file for you, and request a cursory examination at least twice a year. [Offer to pay.]

Then you will be officially his patient AND you will get the meds you need.

Good luck

[Abi]

Originally Posted by EYEFORGOT

That sounds like it would be, as you're not his patient. The idea is not to just get medication when you need/want it; the idea is to keep an eye on how you're doing and to switch meds or adjust dosage as needed. Someone who's truly dedicated to your health doesn't just flippantly write a script.

I hope you find someone who works well with you. Good luck.

Sound advice if we lived in a perfect world, but sometimes it can be REALLY tough to get the meds we need, and have to take up what offers we can get.

[salleh]

OP ....it sounds as if you are also in the early stages of finding the right meds and the correct dosages.....are you sure that your friends dad is aware of your situation .???


when I am in MIchigan I started going to someone else in the family's pdoc.....and he gave me a new scrip with no problem .....we started out on a (correct) assumption that I had already been diagnosed and been taking the medication for years.....is your situation like that? ...


......I'm gonna be frank here ....just writing the scrip like that is both unethical and against the laws of most states and he could get in a lot of trouble ....you should insist upon seeing him at least 3 or 4 times a year , and then those between times it's acceptable to just pick up a scrip .....


.....He wouldn't nessessarily have to charge you for the visits you do have, but there should be some on record......if for nothing else than his protection .....if you're college age, you fall under the scrutiny of folks at the DEA more often than older folks, though we're not exempt .....You never know what makes those guys look .....


stim meds have to be written on triple scrips and one copy to the gov't, one the pharmacy and one stays in the pdocs records......and it's that one copy to the gov't that worries me ......like I said ...who knows what the DEA does??? ..maybe they grab scrips at random or if perhaps they pay attention to "red Flags" ....,,the IRS does that when going after people to audit ...,...we just don't know .....

[TheChemicals]

one name

Micheal Jackson.

[Sandy4957]

Hmmmmmmmm...

I guess that maybe I'm the only one who doesn't see anything wrong with this, so long as he's qualified to write the script (sounds like he is) AND he treats you as he would any other patient, which means that he makes sure that he agrees with the prior psychiatrist's professional judgment that you have ADHD, and monitors your health regularly enough and thoroughly enough to be able to write the scripts in an ethical fashion. He doesn't have to charge you to do that.

Now, if he wasn't maintaining a file on you, I'd worry. But I'm assuming that he will maintain a file, just as he would any other patient. And I'm assuming that if you come in looking raggedy like you're abusing the medication, then he will refuse to write the script just like any other doctor would or should.

I dunno. Maybe I missed something, but all I heard in your original post was that he wasn't planning to charge you...

We have doctor friends who have seen us for things without charging... I don't charge everyone that I represent or advise as a lawyer, either. That doesn't change whether I have an attorney-client relationship with them.

[mctavish23]

Not ethically, no.

tc

mctavish23

(Robert)

[crystal8080]

It sounds like he isn't exactly offering to be your doctor. He's offering to help you out if you are ever 'stuck'. I don't think that is crossing any lines really. One time helping you out when you have a legitimate reason.

AND did he speak to you directly, or did you hear this from your friend? Small detail, kinda important.

I would continue to find a doctor. I would not take advantage of this unless he explicitly says he will treat you fully in a professional manner. I think you can have a professional relationship, but what happens if he says he doesn't want to treat you anymore or something like that, will it jeopardize your friendship? Tough line, not everyone can remain professional and be friends. Like they say don't do business with friends.

I understand that it may be hard to get help, so I don't think you should make any hasty decisions yet, but tread carefully. And be sure to talk to him personally in detail about what kind of relationship it would be.

[Joker_Girl]

If you like this person, could you just start actually GOING to him as your doctor? It is just your friend's dad, so it is not like he is one of your really close personal friends. Why could you not make an appointment and go in and talk to him as a patient and doctor?

Also, for the record, the lady who writes MY scripts, is a nurse practioner who used to be my boss about 15 years ago, when she was the director of nursing. We have known each other a long time, and we are what i would consider "work friends". We do not hang out every day, but if we see each other in public we will stop and chat, and when my dad died, she sent me a card and a flower. We've sent each other invites to our kids' graduations. We have taken continuing education classes together. If she is on call when i am working, we will sit and chat. If she were to suddenly cut me off my meds, I would be hurt and irritated with her. However, I don't push it and be trying to get refills early and calling her at night about it. We tend to trust each other. When I was still healing from surgery and ran out of pain meds, I was in a terrible shape but did not want to ask for more. After a few days i made an appointment to come and see her, I was still in a lot of pain and in tears. She told me don't EVER do that again, if i am hurting i need to come in and get meds for it. So it is not like she thinks I am a pill popper.

If you have been around your friend's dad and like him personally, why not start seeing him as your doctor? If you think he is a good doctor and a nice person?

[clovislorax]

Originally Posted by oscurochu

Is there anything illegal about this? It just seems too good to be true, especially since I just wasted my last $50 on my last doctor, and he only wanted to write me a script for a two week supply. He wanted me to come back in two weeks, but still....

There is not necessarily anything illegal or unethical about his offer. It would really depend on how he does it. Others have suggested that if he treat you as he would other patients then he would be okay (i.e., keep a chart, make sure that you really do need the medication and that the medication is appropriate, etc.).

Doctors have different legal and ethical standards than do psychologists and counselors. I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. It's not okay for me to provide services to a friend. Doctors have a different set of rules.

Psychiatrists make A LOT of money. It wouldn't surprise me at all for him to see you for free as a favor. I would expect him to treat you like any other patient; sign a Consent to Treat, give a medical history, keep a chart, etc. If he didn't do that then I'd have some concerns. The concerns would be primarily for him--that he could get in trouble for running a poor practice.

The only concerns I'd have for you in this situation are 1) Is he just going to let you have whatever meds you want? I don't think that's in your best interest, 2) Does he potentially have any ulterior motives for his genorisity?

All things considered, it's hard to find a good psychiatrist. If he's willing to help and it's all on the up-and-up I'd definitely take advantage of the opportunity you've been given.

...you know, and stay off the meth, too.

[spunkysmum]

Originally Posted by Sandy4957

Hmmmmmmmm...

I guess that maybe I'm the only one who doesn't see anything wrong with this, so long as he's qualified to write the script (sounds like he is) AND he treats you as he would any other patient, which means that he makes sure that he agrees with the prior psychiatrist's professional judgment that you have ADHD, and monitors your health regularly enough and thoroughly enough to be able to write the scripts in an ethical fashion. He doesn't have to charge you to do that.

Now, if he wasn't maintaining a file on you, I'd worry. But I'm assuming that he will maintain a file, just as he would any other patient. And I'm assuming that if you come in looking raggedy like you're abusing the medication, then he will refuse to write the script just like any other doctor would or should.

I dunno. Maybe I missed something, but all I heard in your original post was that he wasn't planning to charge you...

We have doctor friends who have seen us for things without charging... I don't charge everyone that I represent or advise as a lawyer, either. That doesn't change whether I have an attorney-client relationship with them.

I agree with you. I don't see anything fishy here.

[alisha99]

No....

[Sandy4957]

Robert, you're in the best position to judge this, so I certainly defer to you on it. I'm just curious, though. What's the issue? Are you not supposed to see patients who are known to you or something? I guess that I can imagine that it's a little different for a psychiatrist than it would be for a regular doctor, just because the blending back and forth of friendship and physician/patient relationship might allow for some boundary crossing...

[Flory]

It certainly would be considered innappropriate conduct over here...the reasoning being that relationships in the social context can cloud/muddy waters for a patient/proffessional type relationship. It just sounds shady to me....