Law and antipsychotic medications

This article reviews the origin and development of recent legal concepts surrounding use of antipsychotic medications. Complications (side effects) of certain psychiatric medications are seen as fueling the right to refuse treatment doctrine in the law. The leading cases in right to refuse treatment and right to object to treatment are presented and analyzed. The impact of Supreme Court actions on these concepts is evaluated. The influence of the various legal interpretations of right to refuse treatment on standards of psychiatric practice is explored. Have these laws made a difference on the standard of care in public mental institutions?