International Journal of Women's Health (Apr 2020)
Pap Smear Ransom – Is It Ethical to Refuse to Refill a Patient’s Birth Control Until They Come in for Their Annual Exam?
Abstract
Greg J Marchand, Katelyn M Sainz The Marchand Institute for Minimally Invasive Surgery, Mesa, AZ, USACorrespondence: Greg J MarchandThe Marchand Institute for Minimally Invasive Surgery, 10238 E. Hampton, Suite 212, Mesa, AZ 85209, USATel +1 480 999 0905Fax +1 480 999 0801Email [email protected]: A review of the common but questionably ethical practice of refusing to refill a patient’s birth control prescription until they are seen in office for, and presumably pay for, a yearly examination. This forced decision between making time for the appointment or risking an unintended pregnancy is comically referred to as “Pap Smear Ransom.” This short review examines the limited data to support or decry this common practice.Keywords: annual exam, birth control, contraception, office gynecology
