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NYC Schools Give Out Morning-After Pills To Students Without Telling Parents

If the parents are notified, that might discourage the use of the pill. Then, it's likely to get to a choice of an abortion or a 15 year old mother.

It's a difficult call really.


I certainly hope that a pharmacist is the one dispensing it. I don't care if schools have a clinic or pharmacy that dispenses Plan B, but if someone is a minor their parents should be notified.
 
I want to agree with you but I suspect that Doctors will just take advantage (like they do with pain meds). They get paid to write a scrip so they write them. By the time you get an appointment, it may be too late anyway.


Because they're a heavy dose of a medication that can serious **** with your body and your head if you shouldn't be taking it . . . that's why it should be prescription only. Prescription = Dr's approval.

Also - it just seems retarded as hell to have BC to prevent pregnancy - be the whole 9 yards but the EC pill is just no big whoop even though it ends a pregnancy if it's started :roll:
 
I can't discuss the potential physical harm this program may cause, as I'm not a doctor. So, I am prepared to be convinced either way as regards physical harm.

What I get from many of the posts here is that people feel violated as parents when their children have access to BC and EC without their knowledge. I don't think this is a medical issue; I think it's about schools empowering kids to make certain decisions about their futures without the parents' knowledge or consent.

High schoolers are going to have sex, most of them. That sex will create many babies if no BC and/or EC is made available. Those babies and their teenaged parents will suffer blighted lives. The kids will be less likely to seek BC or EC at school or anywhere else if the parents will be notified and/or their consent sought.

Those are the uncontested facts.

Anyone who responded with some version of "sex outside marriage is a sin that should be punished by parenthood" just doesn't share even a rudimentary value system with me.

 
The real hypocrisy, is that many schools have drug free policies,
A student can be suspended for bringing an aspirin to school, even with a note.
 
I want to agree with you but I suspect that Doctors will just take advantage (like they do with pain meds). They get paid to write a scrip so they write them. By the time you get an appointment, it may be too late anyway.

So - punish the ds that get caught doing it.

Honestly - is that your concern? I'm concerned for overall health.
 
To comment, a pharmacist is fully qualified to dispense plan B birth control (and in my opinion, write prescriptions for monthly BC since there is no diagnosis required). We are doctors (Doctor of Pharmacy, not physicians).

For time's sake, it's important that someone take plan B as early as possible. Adding an office visit to the mix would require someone to pay more (pay for the visit) and then have to pay for the drug.
 
OK. So what about the appointment time issue?

What do you mean - appointment time issue? What if they don't have the money - or transportation? Are we encouraging stupid-sex, here?

Be mature if you're doing mature things - Plan your BC - get your appointments and your pills before you THINK you need them. If you don't get the pill at least get the approval first.

Seems like common sense to me.
 
Pharmacists have a PhD?

We earn a PharmD (Doctor or Pharmacy). It's considered to be a professional doctorate like an MD, not a research doctorate like a PhD. Pharmacy school takes the same 4 years that medical school does.
 
We earn a PharmD (Doctor or Pharmacy). It's considered to be a professional doctorate like an MD, not a research doctorate like a PhD. Pharmacy school takes the same 4 years that medical school does.

Medical school takes a lot more than 4 years post grad, and so does an MSc + PhD.
 
Look, I'm just trying to have a conversation. I'm not emotionally invested in this. I don't have a daughter to worry about.

My position on abortion is this. I think it must remain legal and available. I think it's a sad and soul-shattering event and should be used as infrequently as possible.

Im this case we're discussing the availability to children. They are not mature. They probably shouldn't be having unprotected sex. They might not make such wise decisions. So stupid-sex or not, the question is whether they should have easy access to Plan B. Plan B makes you feel lousy so I can't envision Plan B abuse. So, if this immature girl "Christina" has sex, should she be able (and even encouraged) to get Plan B without making and paying for a Drs. appointment 4 days from now? Or should she intercept the possible pregnancy ASAP? Apparently NYC feels that it should be the latter.



What do you mean - appointment time issue? What if they don't have the money - or transportation? Are we encouraging stupid-sex, here?

Be mature if you're doing mature things - Plan your BC - get your appointments and your pills before you THINK you need them. If you don't get the pill at least get the approval first.

Seems like common sense to me.
 
It is a horrific policy for so many reasons. Most schools won't even give out aspirin.
 
According to the FDA, this what the government will be injected into teenage girls without parental consent or knowledge:


Depo-Provera Official FDA information, side effects and uses.

Contraindications

The use of Depo-Provera CI is contraindicated in the following conditions:
•Known or suspected pregnancy or as a diagnostic test for pregnancy.
•Active thrombophlebitis, or current or past history of thromboembolic disorders, or cerebral vascular disease [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].
•Known or suspected malignancy of breast [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].
•Known hypersensitivity to Depo-Provera CI (medroxyprogesterone acetate) or any of its other ingredients [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)].
•Significant liver disease [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)].
•Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9)].


Warnings and Precautions


Loss of Bone Mineral Density

Use of Depo-Provera CI reduces serum estrogen levels and is associated with significant loss of bone mineral density (BMD). This loss of BMD is of particular concern during adolescence and early adulthood, a critical period of bone accretion. It is unknown if use of Depo-Provera CI by younger women will reduce peak bone mass and increase the risk for osteoporotic fracture in later life.

​After discontinuing Depo-Provera CI in adolescents, mean BMD loss at total hip and femoral neck did not fully recover by 60 months (240 weeks) post-treatment [see Clinical Studies (14.3)]. Similarly, in adults, there was only partial recovery of mean BMD at total hip, femoral neck and lumbar spine towards baseline by 24 months post-treatment. [See Clinical Studies (14.2).]

Depo-Provera CI should not be used as a long-term birth control method (i.e., longer than 2 years) unless other birth control methods are considered inadequate. BMD should be evaluated when a woman needs to continue to use Depo-Provera CI long-term. In adolescents, interpretation of BMD results should take into account patient age and skeletal maturity.

Other birth control methods should be considered in the risk/benefit analysis for the use of Depo-Provera CI in women with osteoporosis risk factors. Depo-Provera CI can pose an additional risk in patients with risk factors for osteoporosis (e.g., metabolic bone disease, chronic alcohol and/or tobacco use, anorexia nervosa, strong family history of osteoporosis or chronic use of drugs that can reduce bone mass such as anticonvulsants or corticosteroids). Although there are no studies addressing whether calcium and Vitamin D may lessen BMD loss in women using Depo-Provera CI, all patients should have adequate calcium and Vitamin D intake.


Thromboembolic Disorders

There have been reports of serious thrombotic events in women using Depo-Provera CI (150 mg). However, Depo-Provera CI has not been causally associated with the induction of thrombotic or thromboembolic disorders. Any patient who develops thrombosis while undergoing therapy with Depo-Provera CI should discontinue treatment unless she has no other acceptable options for birth control.

Do not re-administer Depo-Provera CI pending examination if there is a sudden partial or complete loss of vision or if there is a sudden onset of proptosis, diplopia, or migraine. Do not re-administer if examination reveals papilledema or retinal vascular lesions.


Cancer Risks


Breast Cancer

Women who currently have or have had breast cancer should not use hormone contraceptives, including Depo-Provera CI, because breast cancer may be hormonally sensitive. Women with a strong family history of breast cancer or who have breast nodules should be monitored with particular care.

A pooled analysis from two case-control studies, the World Health Organization Study and the New Zealand Study, reported the relative risk (RR) of breast cancer for women who had ever used Depo-Provera CI as 1.1 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.97 to 1.4). Overall, there was no increase in risk with increasing duration of use of Depo-Provera CI. The RR of breast cancer for women of all ages who had initiated use of Depo-Provera CI within the previous 5 years was estimated to be 2.0 (95% CI 1.5 to 2.8).

The World Health Organization Study, a component of the pooled analysis described above, showed an increased RR of 2.19 (95% CI 1.23 to 3.89) of breast cancer associated with use of Depo-Provera CI in women whose first exposure to drug was within the previous 4 years and who were under 35 years of age. However, the overall RR for ever-users of Depo-Provera CI was 1.2 (95% CI 0.96 to 1.52).

The National Cancer Institute reports an average annual incidence rate for breast cancer for US women, all races, age 15 to 34 years of 8.7 per 100,000. A RR of 2.19, thus, increases the possible risk from 8.7 to 19.0 cases per 100,000 women.


Cervical Cancer

A statistically nonsignificant increase in RR estimates of invasive squamous-cell cervical cancer has been associated with the use of Depo-Provera CI in women who were first exposed before the age of 35 years (RR 1.22 to 1.28 and 95% CI 0.93 to 1.70). The overall, nonsignificant relative rate of invasive squamous-cell cervical cancer in women who ever used Depo-Provera CI was estimated to be 1.11 (95% CI 0.96 to 1.29). No trends in risk with duration of use or times since initial or most recent exposure were observed.


Other Cancers

Long-term case-controlled surveillance of users of Depo-Provera CI found no overall increased risk of ovarian or liver cancer.


Ectopic Pregnancy

Be alert to the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy among women using Depo-Provera CI who become pregnant or complain of severe abdominal pain.


Anaphylaxis and Anaphylactoid Reaction

Anaphylaxis and anaphylactoid reaction have been reported with the use of Depo-Provera CI. Institute emergency medical treatment if an anaphylactic reaction occurs.


Liver Function

Discontinue Depo-Provera CI use if jaundice or acute or chronic disturbances of liver function develop. Do not resume use until markers of liver function return to normal and Depo-Provera CI causation has been excluded.


Convulsions

There have been a few reported cases of convulsions in patients who were treated with Depo-Provera CI. Association with drug use or pre-existing conditions is not clear.


Depression

Monitor patients who have a history of depression and do not readminister Depo-Provera CI if depression recurs.


Bleeding Irregularities

Most women using Depo-Provera CI experience disruption of menstrual bleeding patterns. Altered menstrual bleeding patterns include amenorrhea, irregular or unpredictable bleeding or spotting, prolonged spotting or bleeding, and heavy bleeding. Rule out the possibility of organic pathology if abnormal bleeding persists or is severe, and institute appropriate treatment.

As women continue using Depo-Provera CI, fewer experience irregular bleeding and more experience amenorrhea. In clinical studies of Depo-Provera CI, by month 12 amenorrhea was reported by 55% of women, and by month 24, amenorrhea was reported by 68% of women using Depo-Provera CI.


Weight Gain

Women tend to gain weight while on therapy with Depo-Provera CI. From an initial average body weight of 136 lb, women who completed 1 year of therapy with Depo-Provera CI gained an average of 5.4 lb. Women who completed 2 years of therapy gained an average of 8.1 lb. Women who completed 4 years gained an average of 13.8 lb. Women who completed 6 years gained an average of 16.5 lb. Two percent of women withdrew from a large-scale clinical trial because of excessive weight gain.


Carbohydrate Metabolism

A decrease in glucose tolerance has been observed in some patients on Depo-Provera CI treatment. Monitor diabetic patients carefully while receiving Depo-Provera CI.


Lactation

Detectable amounts of drug have been identified in the milk of mothers receiving Depo-Provera CI. In nursing mothers treated with Depo-Provera CI, milk composition, quality, and amount are not adversely affected. Neonates and infants exposed to medroxyprogesterone from breast milk have been studied for developmental and behavioral effects through puberty. No adverse effects have been noted.


Fluid Retention

Because progestational drugs including Depo-Provera CI may cause some degree of fluid retention, monitor patients with conditions that might be influenced by this condition, such as epilepsy, migraine, asthma, and cardiac or renal dysfunction.


Return of Fertility

Return to ovulation and fertility is likely to be delayed after stopping Depo-Provera CI. In a large US study of women who discontinued use of Depo-Provera CI to become pregnant, data are available for 61% of them. Of the 188 women who discontinued the study to become pregnant, 114 became pregnant. Based on Life-Table analysis of these data, it is expected that 68% of women who do become pregnant may conceive within 12 months, 83% may conceive within 15 months, and 93% may conceive within 18 months from the last injection. The median time to conception for those who do conceive is 10 months following the last injection with a range of 4 to 31 months, and is unrelated to the duration of use. No data are available for 39% of the patients who discontinued Depo-Provera CI to become pregnant and who were lost to follow-up or changed their mind.


Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Patients should be counseled that Depo-Provera CI does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases.


Pregnancy

Although Depo-Provera CI should not be used during pregnancy, there appears to be little or no increased risk of birth defects in women who have inadvertently been exposed to medroxyprogesterone acetate injections in early pregnancy. Neonates exposed to medroxyprogesterone acetate in-utero and followed to adolescence showed no evidence of any adverse effects on their health including their physical, intellectual, sexual or social development.


Monitoring

A woman who is taking hormonal contraceptive should have a yearly visit with her healthcare provider for a blood pressure check and for other indicated healthcare.


Interference with Laboratory Tests

The use of Depo-Provera CI may change the results of some laboratory tests, such as coagulation factors, lipids, glucose tolerance, and binding proteins. [See Drug Interactions (7.2)].


Adverse Reactions

The following important adverse reactions observed with the use of Depo-Provera CI are discussed in greater detail in the Warnings and Precautions section (5):
•Loss of Bone Mineral Density [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]
•Thromboembolic disease [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]
•Breast Cancer [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]
•Anaphylaxis and Anaphylactoid Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)]
•Bleeding Irregularities[see Warnings and Precautions (5.9)]
•Weight Gain [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10)]

Post-marketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified during post approval use of Depo-Provera CI. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

There have been cases of osteoporosis including osteoporotic fractures reported post-marketing in patients taking Depo-Provera CI.

Table 3 Adverse Reactions Reported during Post-Marketing Experience






Body System*

Adverse Reactions




* Body System represented from COSTART medical dictionary.



Body as a Whole

Chest pain, Allergic reactions, Fever, Pain at injection site, Chills, Axillary swelling



Cardiovascular

Syncope, Tachycardia, Thrombophlebitis, Deep vein thrombosis, Pulmonary embolus, Varicose veins



Digestive

Changes in appetite, Gastrointestinal disturbances, Jaundice, Excessive thirst, Rectal bleeding



Hematologic and Lymphatic

Anemia, Blood dyscrasia



Musculoskeletal

Osteoporosis



Nervous

Paralysis, Facial palsy, Paresthesia, Drowsiness



Respiratory

Dyspnea and asthma, Hoarseness



Skin and Appendages

Hirsutism, Excessive sweating and body odor, Dry skin, Scleroderma



Urogenital

Cervical cancer, Breast cancer, Lack of return to fertility, Unexpected pregnancy, Prevention of lactation, Changes in breast size, Breast lumps or nipple bleeding, Galactorrhea, Melasma, Chloasma, Increased libido, Uterine hyperplasia, Genitourinary infections, Vaginal cysts, Dyspareunia
 
Is the school going to cover any medical expenses for the side effects?
 
Look, I'm just trying to have a conversation. I'm not emotionally invested in this. I don't have a daughter to worry about.

My position on abortion is this. I think it must remain legal and available. I think it's a sad and soul-shattering event and should be used as infrequently as possible.

Im this case we're discussing the availability to children. They are not mature. They probably shouldn't be having unprotected sex. They might not make such wise decisions. So stupid-sex or not, the question is whether they should have easy access to Plan B. Plan B makes you feel lousy so I can't envision Plan B abuse. So, if this immature girl "Christina" has sex, should she be able (and even encouraged) to get Plan B without making and paying for a Drs. appointment 4 days from now? Or should she intercept the possible pregnancy ASAP? Apparently NYC feels that it should be the latter.

I reread the OP - apparently the program is designed ot side-step prescriptions which are required if your underaged:
Plan B is typically sold as an over-the-counter medication, but those under age 18 need a prescription. For the CATCH program, students can tell a trained school nurse they had unprotected sex. The student will then get a test to see if she is already pregnant; if not, the prescription is issued and she can walk out with the pill.

I think it's just horrid - hormonal control isn't something to play around with. I think they're minimizing all of this so much they're only going to cause harm. What's wrong with them? Immature teen suddenly has sex and now reason doesn't matter.
 
I'm glad my local public school system is doing something about unwanted pregnancies for once.


*applauds*
 
Schools should not be dispensing ANY sort of medication - period. No, not even aspirin. That's the way it used to be in every state where I taught (three out West), and the way it should remain.
 
This is an AWESOME idea and one of the things all schools need to be able to do

BUT

it seems its being executed very piss poorly


SInce those are separate issues I want to stick with the positive, availability of BC should be this easy and its one of the most rational, common sense and intelligible ideas ive read done in a long time.

now with that said the piss poor execution has to be addressed.
parents have to be notified and a signature retrieved or something along those lines etc., not just a notice that can never get to the parent and they dont know.

now if these drugs need extra attention by a doctor or screenings etc then it should be handled just like vaccines and things like that. When your child is up to par medically and gets a physical those questions should be on it about the safety of that particular child to get all the forms of BC available.

GREAT IDEA!!!!:applaud

poor execution :doh
 
The schools don't even vaccinate, nor should they. Medical care is not the job of the schools, nor is dispensing medicine. We're not talking about post HS here.

I hope they get the pants sued off them, big old class action. It's what I'd do if they started this nonsense around here.

No wonder they don't seem to have the time to actually do their jobs and educate the children in their care.
 
Medical school takes a lot more than 4 years post grad, and so does an MSc + PhD.

The MD degree requires 4 years post grad (unless you are in some kind of accelerated program that makes it 3 years).
 
If my daughter's publicly funded school ever handed out morning after pills, I would be the first to suggest litigation.
 
In Seattle the High School I attended (a decade ago) had a teen health center that was run by an organization separate from the school (though it did reside in the school). A quick search showed this is what they currently provide.


Mental health counseling
Medical check-ups
Routine physicals
Sports physicals
Reproductive health care
Treatment for acute and chronic illnesses
Immunizations
Preventive education on tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use, injuries, and violence

...........

Doesn't sound like NYC is doing anything groundbreaking.
 
Schools should not be dispensing ANY sort of medication - period. No, not even aspirin. That's the way it used to be in every state where I taught (three out West), and the way it should remain.

If children are required by law to attend school from 8am-3pm then not giving them access to basic medication is negligent.
 
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