Is there a law forbidding minors from....

[DMHarry]

Quick question folks.

Does anyone know of any state or federal law anywhere in this great land of ours that would expressly forbid a minor from picking up medical devices such as glasses or contacts without a parent or guardian present? I'm having a debate with a colleague. I personally have never heard of one although it would probably be best if a parent were present for most transactions...

[Quince]

There are no federal laws prohibiting a minor from filling their own RXs whether for glasses or medication. Parents/ guardians have rights on being informed but are not required to be part of the process. I'm assuming there are companies out there with their own policies, but no laws.

Glasses especially are quite unregulated as a whole. State laws vary, but in Maine there are very little stipulation for filling a prescription. Contacts are much more closely watched.

[bulldogeyetech]

In Mississippi there is little to none on regulation for filling glasses or contacts. Our clinic is very strict as we actually are aware of the laws. We do make people sign and date on a lab slip when they are picked up. Most of our minors over the age of 10 sign for their own glasses or contacts.

We do not have any laws on the books preventing a minor from picking up medical devices. We treat it like a HIPPA issue; technically they are the patient and technically we have to have their agreement before we can do procedures and if they say no and actually aware of what no means then we can't preform the procedure.

[cowboytelemark]

if they say no and actually aware of what no means then we can't preform the procedure.

The second part of that sentence is the important one, and that is very grey. For most minors, 'implied consent' governs medical care.