Respect for Patient Confidentiality Must Not Be Dependent Upon a Fee: The Case of Adolescents’ Access to Contraceptives in Ontario

Abstract

In Ontario, adolescents can be confidentially prescribed contraceptives. However, some adolescents must pay pharmacies to have their confidentiality respected when it comes to contraceptives; if their parents’ private insurance plan covers them, the adolescent has to pay out of pocket to be given contraceptive in a confidential manner. It is unethical to make anyone pay to have their confidentiality respected, particularly for a vulnerable population like adolescents who tend to be economically disadvantaged.