LA pharmacist who refuses to sell contraceptives to be featured on CBS

[funkybutt]

http://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/WWL112104pharmacist.7c59c3ce.html

Jeremy Shaprio / Houma Courier
GRAY -- A Gray pharmacist’s longstanding practice of refusing to sell contraceptives will be featured on a national news broadcast Tuesday.

Lloyd Duplantis, owner of Lloyd’s Remedies, 3696 W. Main St. in Gray, was recently interviewed for an upcoming segment on the CBS Evening News with Dan Rather...

Duplantis said he’s never been convinced from both a moral or scientific standpoint that selling contraceptives is proper. Duplantis is also part of Pharmacists For Life International, a pharmacy association that is exclusively pro-life.

Those are among the reasons why he declined to sell birth-control products to women at the last three places he’s worked. In Sept. 2000, Duplantis opened his own pharmacy in Gray, which gave him more freedom to decide what products to carry, he said. Lloyd’s Remedies does not sell any contraceptive products.

[Tsiyu]

1. If he sells Viagra, Cialis or Levitra

he's a hypocritical, misogynistic son-of-a-bitch who should have his own ** removed.


My next bumper sticker:

NO ABORTION
WITHOUT ERECTION:
OUTLAW VIAGRA!!!!!

[liberalmuse]

2. This story never fails to boil my blood.

Sanctimonious POS. He needs to get out of the drug dispensing business. Countless women I know take birth control pills for other reasons, but that is not even the point. Keep your hands off my vajoosh!

[snippy]

12. Me too. Passing laws protecting the jobs of these pharmacists

is an important issue to the republican party. Such laws have been passed in several states and are being pushed by the GOP in several others. I don't understand why democrats don't raise holy hell about these laws. Not only would it be morally right, I think it also would be politically smart. At a minimum democrats should fight for an amendment to all these laws requiring the prominent posting of a notice concerning a pharmacy's policy of refusing to dispense birth control pills.

[Mike Daniels]

26. Why should it be required that they post they don't carry birth control?

If it's an independent pharmacist that runs his own business then he should be allowed to carry or not carry whatever he wants.

As far as not posting the policy, a customer will find out fast enough when they request the product that the pharmacist doesn't carry it.

[snippy]

30. Because many people go to a pharmacy to have a prescription filled.

If it is the policy of a pharmacy not to fill prescriptions the public has a right to know that before they are in need of the medication.

[3113]

52. Some not only refuse to fill it but refuse to give the perscription back.

[kat21]

95. Someone please tell me that refusing to return the prescription is illegal

[Raster]

54. because YOU have the right to know you may be dealing with a ....

misogynist, bombastic, hypocrite with an over-reaching moralistic imperative. Since all that won't fit on the sign, I propose "Asshole for Pharmacist." That way, we can all avoid him. And you notice, it appears that it's ONLY MEN pharmacists that have a problem dispensing contraceptive products for women.

What's next, a druggist that believes in the sanctity of bacteria and therefor refuses to dispense antibiotics? Or how about a Christ Scientist pharmacist who doesn't believe in any medication? He doesn't FILL ANY PRESCRIPTIONS!!!

[SemperEadem]

90. no one is disputing that he can carry whichever drugs he'd rather push

what we're saying is that the onus is on him to inform the customers that he chooses to place his religious beliefs ahead of the responsibility of his job to dispence medications prescribed by a doctor. The customers have a right to know that their pharmacist is practicing medicine without a license--making medical judgements regarding which medicines he deems fit for female customers to ingest.

All of that is solved by him placing a conspicuous sign in the door of his pharmacy stating his religious beliefs supercede him doing his job. If he is not ashamed of his beliefs, he needs to place his convictions out in the open, after all, what has he got to hide?

[theHandpuppet]

28. I assume it's more than birth control pills

This pharmacist said he sells NO contraceptive products. I assume this would also include such things as condoms, would it not? I guess this guy this guy doesn't believe in safe sex, either.

[AllegroRondo]

42. Does he stock AIDS medications?

He's going to need them if he doesnt stock condoms.

[theHandpuppet]

55. Nah...

The self-righteous believe that AIDS is a punishment from God, so offering AIDS meds would fly in the face of God's judgment.

[VegasWolf]

61. I guess the people of Gray Just Say No to sex! n/t

[robcon]

3. Although I don't agree with his actions...

the guy seems sincere and his attitude is ok with me. I wish there were 'sincere' retail stores who refused to sell cigarettes.

[liberalmuse]

4. You must be male.

As a female, I find this man offensive.

[NJ_Lib]

6. Let me guess...

This guy has no grown daughters... Probably no sisters either... Probably never took a "life punch" yet... Everything is just honky-dory in this guy's life...

What, there aren't more important issues out there? How about the millions of kids already born who live in poverty, they could use any help he can give them...

Oh... You say that's no fun? No fame and glory in helping the poor? No Dan Rather interviews? Typical, selfish Freeper...

[Demeter]

64. He Probably Doesn't Have A Wife Either

Not likely to propagate the species.

[robcon]

10. Ok, you find it offensive.

But if you you were in his position, and sincerely felt that something was 'wrong' would the fact that some person is 'offended' have any affect on you? What do you expect the man to do: sell something his conscience won't allow him to sell? Obviously the guy is willing to forgo some sales, and perhaps lose a significant number of customers, for his beliefs.

Are you in favor of 'forcing' him to sell something he doesn't want to sell? Or are you really 'offended' by a single store in New Orleans which won't sell contraceptives?

btw, the 'as a female' pose is a trifle sanctimonious.

[Tsiyu]

13. A trifle sanctimonious

That would be the definition of someone giving his blessing to an unfair trade practice which will NEVER affect HIS gonads....

[goddess40]

16. this person needs to find a different line of work

If he finds a fairly major part of his job offensive he needs to move on. To deny women birth control is over the top, he is also practicing medicine without a license - if the doc prescribed it they have to provide it.

[bunkerbuster1]

62. A-farkin'-men.

A pharmacist dispenses all manner of powerful, life-alterin' stuff. You don't wanna "play God," go get yourself a gig digging for earthworms, or something similarly non-impactful.

[GinaMaria]

79. yep he's overstepping as a health care provider

He's derailing people's health care. Can health care workers refuse to do their job? As a nurse I could not refuse an assignment based on diagnosis, treatment, or any other reason except if I was pregnant and was dealing with an infectious disease known to be detrimental to fetal development.

Think of it this way, if you were a Jehovah's witness would you take a job in a blood bank knowing transfusions were against your beliefs? Would a Jehovah's witness work on a heme unit or anywhere else where they would likely have to give a transfusion? I would hope not. What would be the purpose of this other than to make a stink about your beliefs by refusing to do your job?

[Lerkfish]

23. if its not illegal, and has been precribed by a doctor, YES he must.

If he has a "moral" problem, he's in the wrong business. Does he also refuse to dispense acyclovir, the herpes drug? viagra?

HIS principles are immaterial and have jack nothing to do with the relationship between a doctor and the client...and frankly, by his present actions, he is illegally disrupting that relationship.

you need to pick different heroes.

[funkybutt]

25. This is NOT in New Orleans

Gray is a small town south west of New Orleans, population <5000. Nearly 20% of these households are single mother households. In Gray, males have a median income of $31,827 versus $19,792 for females with more than 20% of the population living below the poverty line.

I would imagine there aren't a bunch of pharmacies down there to choose from. I wish the article would have said how many pharmacies there are in that area. I wouldnt be surprised if it was only that one.

Had it been in New Orleans, where there are so many pharmacies to choose from, I'd imagine it wouldnt be that big of a deal. Plus they'd probably go out of business in no time due to the boycotts as a result of their policies.

[KansDem]

27. You're correct...there is only one pharmacy in Gray, LA

I checked a business database and found this information:

Lloyd's Remedies, 3696 W Main St
Remedies Apothecary, Inc (same address)

They have different phone numbers.

[VegasWolf]

63. So this sanctimonius bastard doesn't have to worry about

losing customers, he's got them by the short hairs.
What a fuckface!!

[AuntieM1957]

100. It's near Houma

A white pages search shows 31 pharmacies in the Houma area -

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

29. So robcon, the pharmacist would rather my daughter died.She has a bleeding

disorder that came to light when she began her periods. She hemorrhaged and fainted. She recovered and the only thing that has kept this from happening again are BC pills. Yet again, another example of a sanctimonious person deciding the value of an as yet to be conceived cellular structure is more important than my living child.

His "conscious" would allow my daughter to bleed to death. Typical. MKJ

[oneighty]

33. von Willebrand's disease?

Just curious

180

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

40. No, thank god, she has frequent anovulation, probably would be

categorized as more hormonal than vascular, however, the result is her menses are continuous and heavy. When she hemorrhaged, she had been having her period for three WEEKS, and actually had the fainting episode during a church service.

Scared the hell out of me. She passed out on the pew, and the blood just poured out. An ambulance ride and hospital admission ensued, and VW was the first thing they ruled out. However, her next period was just as long and heavy, so we put her on OCP's at that time. She had a full gyne work up, and was diagnosed with anovulation. The hope is that the OCP's keep her regulated until she has a little more hormonal balance to reduce or eliminate the episodes, post puberty.

Good thing we don't live in Gray, La, huh? MKJ

[mondo joe]

38. If he feels it's wrong he shouldn't be in thr business.

If he truly feels some prescriptions are MORALLY wrong he shouldn't be in the business.

[Hong Kong Cavalier]

41. I posted this in another thread about these people

And I'm gonna post it here:

It's not like they woke up one day and decided "I'm going to be a pharmacist." They had to go to college for this. They studied. They planned on being pharmacists. And any pharmacist that didn't realize they might have to give out birth control pills and didn't want to do so because of "morality" should have never become pharmacists in the first goddamn place!

It's like someone studying to become a doctor only to say "sorry, I believe in the power of prayer, so I'm not going to prescribe anything to help you with your illness. You should just pray the illness away." That doctor would be out of a job and have his license revoked so damn fast it would make your head spin.

[Shakespeare]

48. Are you aware--

--that birth control pills are used for more than contraception? I happen to have a hormonal syndrome/deficiency called Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, and it's treated with birth control pills. Without them, I would develop endometriosis (which would then lead to uterine cancer). Having some holier-than-thou idiot deciding that I don't need to get that pill presents a bit of a problem. A life-threatening problem.

The pharmacist is not in a position to make a medical determination about whether a woman "needs" the pill or not. Yes, I am offended that this "one pharmacy" refuses to dispense the pill. First it's just one store, or one pharmacist. Then it's ten. Then, perhaps, an entire chain of pharmacies. Then several.

Yes, it's a big deal, and yes, it should be stopped. I think any pharmacist who decides he's going to "judge" an individual for whom that individual's physician has already made a medical determination about the necessity of this or any other drug should have his or her license yanked post-haste.

[proud2BlibKansan]

107. I had endometriosis

and birth control pills were the best treatment available. Ironically, they allowed me to become pregnant. Taking the pill kept the endo in check and I wasn't infertile - as many endo patients are - when I was ready to have children. I don't know if they still prescribe the pill for endo, but thank God they did for me when I was younger.

[lilymidnite]

73. He should find another profession

If he were Christian Scienctist, that's just exactly what he'd be doing.

I spent years taking BC pills for problems other than contraception.

[atreides1]

80. OK

Theoritically:

In my view the Religious Right is trying to usurp the US Constitution and wish to create a theocracy, this to me is treason, and in my view traitors are to be executed.

Does my belief give me the right to conduct these executions, and do I not deserve protection from prosecution, based on the fact that I am acting in accordance with my conscience?

[saracat]

85. But he doesn't know what the product is used for!

He is contraindicating a doctor. You think that is okay? I used to take BC pills to control excessive bleeding. Does he have the right to make a decision that I bleed to death because the prescription offends him? Other times B/C pills are prescribed for acne. He can make the judgment a woman should be scarred? As for condoms , besides resisting the spread of aids , sometimes both men and women have allergic reactions that can be controlled with condoms. But this guy has the right to tell them to suffer? BTW I think the pose "pharmacist" is a trifle sanctimonious for someone both practicing medicine without a license and exposing his utter lack of humanity by hurting customers and ramming his convictions down other peoples throats. If a hospital can be compelled to treat a patient , so should a pharmacist!

[genieroze]

91. If you are against abortion, then you should be for birth control.

No pregnancy, no abortion. These idiots are against sex and by looking at most of them you know why, because nobody would want to have sex with them.

[SemperEadem]

92. I'm quite sure that somewhere along the way of his obtaining his

pharmacists training, he knew that birth control pills and other contraceptives are things which will require him filling the prescriptions for the patients. Birth control wasn't just invented 3 weeks ago. He knew full well when he was in training that that was going to be a part of his job, so for him to now, after the fact, claim that his conscience won't allow him to do that is moot.

If he's got such an issue with it, he should have become a shoe salesman at the local department store. Or he should have bought a gas station and sold gas and fix cars. But he knew going in that contraceptives have been a part of pharmaceutical dispensation since the 1960's when the pill became widely available. He can't plead ignorance after the fact--it makes him look like the idiot he is.

[SemperEadem]

93. perhaps the answer is to eliminate the pharmacist altogether

and have the doctor dispense the drugs in his office. That seems to me the best way to resolve the problem--render the pharmacist obsolete.

[Book Lover]

97. I understand your POV, but

when a pharmacist refuses to fill a scrip, he is practicing medicine because he is using his judgement to direct a course of treatment. I'm not even addressing the fact that he is using his *religious* judgement to practice medicine.

If he does not want to fill BC pill scipts, he needs to find another line of work.

[clydefrand]

7. Will he stop selling condoms, too?

Birth control pills are given to women to regulate menstrual periods and prevent cramps. They are also prescribed for post-menopausal women to prevent hot flashes. Should these women be denied this treatment because they are still classified as birth control pills; ie, hormones? Will he not sell HIV drugs since some HIV patients contracted it through intercourse?

I hope his damn business fails. Get out of the business if you can't be fair to all.

Religion! Ah, religion, the mother of all injustices!

[ticapnews]

11. Take some advice from someone at the FDA...

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0800717511/qid=1100955928/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-8008227-4335966?v=glance&s=books

No need for fancy medical treatments; just read the Bible for comfort.
(/sarcasm)

[noamnety]

9. Amen to that

"I wish there were 'sincere' retail stores who refused to sell cigarettes."

I'm glad he's getting tv time, though. Americans need to wake up from their stupor about what's going on.

[ticapnews]

5. Give him a visit...

http://www.refillrx.com/lloyds

His "national health hotline" is 1-888-872-5030
His local # is [phone]

See if he has any Viagra...

[jdj]

8. ha, the SOB is closed on the weekends anyway.

I"m sure condoms spike then, what a financial loss..

[clydefrand]

14. Did you look at the picture on the right at this site?

"Committed to a Healthier You! - A Pro-Life, Pro-Family Pharmacy "

Ha, ha, ha! Look at all of the people! Real healthy looking bunch! All are overweight, one of them morbidly obese!

Don't get me wrong here. I've been overweight for nearly 60 years. It's been a lifelong struggle for me and I'm in constant battle with myself. But what I've noticed for years is that so-called people of God who espouse "moral values" are getting heavier and heavier all the time! I really don't think God has anything to do with being overweight, but the picture is not one of healthy people. And if they are for pro-life, pro-family, they should be concerned about staying healthy themselves!

And stay the hell out of people's sex lives!!!!!!!!!!!! This infuriates me as well.

[MADem]

39. Hmmmmmm....maybe there's a subtle reasoning at work here

They must figure if they are too large to find, never mind use, their sex organs, that no one else should have the pleasure, either!

[AuntieM1957]

101. If you can't get laid -

you eat (sublimination)

Gotta go, pizza delivery here!

[genieroze]

94. Bawhahahaha

" Lloyd's has a complete line of alternative medicines including -herbs-homeopathics-natural vitamin and mineral supplements.
Call Lloyd's national health hotline from anywhere"
Gee what would his hero Bush say about the natural medicines, how would Bush's sponsers the drug companies feel?

Looking at those people you know they will never need to worry about birth control. They sell mirrors don't they?

[Bridget Burke]

15. Since he's opened his own store, let him run it the way he wishes...

His co-believers can provide him with business. With all this publicity, any woman needing the pill will know to take her business elsewhere rather than being insulted. The scarcity of internet information on Gray, Louisiana, indicates a trip to the metropoli of Thibodeaux or Houma may be necessary.

As far as chain drugstores go--those that allow their pharmacists to express their morality in this way should also advertise the fact. Don't want anybody to have trouble her prescription just because the wrong guy is on duty that night. And many of us who don't need the pill would also like to know--so we can avoid spending a cent in any of those dumps.

[jdj]

17. we've had pharmacists TAKE the prescription and refuse

to give it back. We've had pharmacists refuse to call it in somewhere else, or refer the woman to another pharmacy, even in the case of rape and morning after pill.


This is a growing problem. He needs to be boycotted and protested, not tolerated.

[Bridget Burke]

24. I did point out that his "co-believers" can give him business....

If anybody avoids him because of his "moral values"--that's a boycott, isn't it?

On the off chance that I found myself in his fleabit little town, I'd definitely not give him any business.

[TahitiNut]

36. A business is operated solely by permission of a PUBLIC LICENSE

That license is granted for the "public good."

It wasn't long ago that businesses claimed the 'right' to refuse service for any reason - including the color of the person's skin. These business people also claimed a 'right' to follow their (atrophied) consciences.

When a person is granted the entitlement of operating a business under a public license, they are subject to the democratic processes of this nation which are sovereign in (supposedly) determining the "public good."

This pharmacist has the right to avoid taking such medications himself. In applying for and being granted a business license, he does not abdicate that right. He does not gain the right to interfere with the relationship between a patient and their physician.

[Yavin4]

18. Should Pharmacists Prescribe Pills Based On Their Religious Beliefs?

What happens if a Muslim pharmacist or a Jewish pharmacist decide not to dispense a medicine because it conflicts with their beliefs? Where does this all stop?

[funkybutt]

34. Pharmacists don't prescribe drugs..they fill prescriptions

for medications that have been determined to be appropriate treatment by a physician. I think that interfering with the decision of a doctor should be against the law. These pharmacists are overstepping their bounds.

[KittyWampus]

37. Doesn't Insulin Come From Pigs?

[TahitiNut]

56. 'Natural" insulin come from both pigs and cattle.

It's not as much an issue of the source as it is with the manner in which the animal was slaughtered. At the same time, administration of a medical treatment is not "dietary" - and there're some minor issues with performing injections on the Sabbath. (Strictly observant diabetic Jews are advised to prepare their insulin injections before the Sabbath as much as possible, but are NOT required to avoid them.)

I suppose it's appropriate to emphasize that adherence to Kosher Laws isn't mindless - it's a matter of mindfulness. My conservative and reconstructionist friends describe their observance as a form of meditation: a consciousness or respect for the shared practices of faith they have with their forebears, and the sacrifices of those forebears for their descendants. For adherents, rituals and practices are not 'form without content' - and whether it's Catholic, Buddhist, Jew, or Muslim, whenever I've discussed such rituals with some 'leader' (priest, monk, rabbi, mullah, theologia) of that faith, I've found that there's a content or 'mindfulness' inherent in the practice.

[clydefrand]

19. I just sent him an email about Viagra

I told him that I had an RX for Viagra and asked if he could fill it. Will see if he responds.

[plasticsundance]

20. Good Point Yavin4

Next thing this guy will claim is that the government cannot tax his business, because he's working under the auspices of his religion. :crazy:

[Isere]

22. I'm sure he'll fill the Viagra RX

because boners are good. Boners make babies!

I think this pharmacist should be picketed and harrassed and threatened in the same way that abortion providers are targeted.

[muriel_volestrangler]

21. Should his title be 'partial pharmacist'?

And his adverts and job front have to explain "I refuse to sell birth control", so that people don't waste their time with him? (And then people can easily see not to use him for other things too)

And how is someone 'not convinced from a scientific standpoint that selling contraceptives is proper'? Where's the science in that?

[Unstuck In Time]

31. I think you're on the right track here

This is not simply about religious beliefs and "well, you can take your business elsewhere."

It's a bout professional standards and the need for consistency, in a field where life and death are at stake. There is no room here for freestyling, making up the rules based on individual whims.

[liberalcenter]

32. Discrimination against women?

Isn't he discriminating against women?

[Skittles]

108. of course he is

all this "pro-life" bullshit is more about oppressing women than it is about supporting "life".

[mondo joe]

35. "A Full Service Pharmacy"???? False advertising

His own web site (http://www.refillrx.com/lloyds) says it is a FULL SERVICE PHARMACY - an obvious case of false advertising.

[Arkana]

43. How farking stupid

"Duplantis said he’s never been convinced from both a moral or scientific standpoint that selling contraceptives is proper. Duplantis is also part of Pharmacists For Life International, a pharmacy association that is exclusively pro-life."

If so, he should be relieved of his medical license. I mean, the man works in science but doesn't believe in it?

[AllegroRondo]

44. Is there a "National Pharmacists Association"??

Or something like that? A group that sets professional standards for the industry, like the AMA?

THAT is who we should be writing to.

[mcscajun]

49. It's a bit of a patchwork...

...with various associations of pharmacists, individual state boards and such. There doesn't appear to be any national standard, which is why we're seeing activity in the various state legislatures on this issue.

I did a little research recently when this same issue arose on another board. "Conscience Laws", as they're being called, are a current and hot topic in the pharmacist community right now. I've seen some evidence of it being addressed in various national associations of pharmacists...some taking one side, some the other.

One place you might start is the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. http://www.nabp.net/

My personal opinion? If a pharmacist runs his/her own business, he/she gets to run it his/her way within the law and the bounds of his/her own conscience. If, on the other hand, the pharmacist is an employee, say of a chain store, then they either provide what's been prescribed or they find new employment. I'd like to see a sign up front of such stores, though...indicating either "pro-life pharmacy" like this bozo has, or "we do not carry contraceptive products/medications". At least that way prospective customers would know who they're patronizing.

Allowing pharmacists to follow their consciences is no different than a doctor or nurse who follow theirs and will not participate in abortions.

I'm pro-choice, but I can't impose my beliefs and decisions of conscience on that of another, anymore than I want them imposing theirs on me.

[silverlib]

45. Great!

Let's give this freak and audience!

[Yavin4]

46. Should An Animal Rights Pharmacist Not Dispense Pills That Came From

animal research?

[havocmom]

47. Almost hoping he needs a paramedic someday and SHE turns out to

be one of the people HE refused to do his job for due to HIS personal views. Maybe SHE would have personal views and values she would like to make a statement about. Would her refusal to save his sorry ass because of her beliefs be OK with him?

[reprobate]

50. But this is good, gu ys. This is REAL good.

Every one of these people who sets himself up as the moral arbitor of the citizens will generate a backlash. As the immoral right asserts power the rest of the citizenry will reach a point of no return.

This is the attitude that will destroy the repuglican party. Americans believe in morality just so long as it does not interfere with their pleasures.

[yellowcanine]

51. Should lose his pharmacy license. If it is a legal drug and a patient

has a prescription for it - I am sorry but he has to provide it. If he can't do that for religious reasons he needs to find another line of work. He does not have a constitutional right to be a pharmacist.

[Enraged_Ape]

53. If a doctor refused to treat a patient who was an atheist...

because the doctor was a born-again Christian and it was "against his value system", should the doctor be allowed to keep his license practicing medicine?

If a cop refused to arrest a suspect who was white, because the suspect beat up a black person and the cop had white-supremacist beliefs, should the cop be allowed to keep her job?

If a fire crew stood by and watched a family's house burn down because the head of the family belonged to a different political party, should those firefighters not be fired?

This all seems like a no-brainer to me. This idiot is obviously in the wrong line of work and should seek employment outside of a service-related industry.

[AllegroRondo]

57. You've nailed it

This is not a simple case of a merchant deciding not to stock certain items. Pharmacists, like doctors, police, and firemen, have taken a job that requires them to help the general public, regardless of WHO that may be.

[mondo joe]

60. Your analogy is inaccurate.

I agree that the pharmacist shouldn't be permitted to deny safe legal medications prescribed by a physician.

But your analogy quite inaccurate and here's why:

In each ofyour examples the service provider (doc, cop, firefighter) DID provide the service to some but denied it to others based on who they were.

That's not the case withthe pharmacist. The pharmacist won't provide this service (bc pills) to ANYONE.

I think a more accurate analogy would be :

A cop who will only enforce the laws he agrees with and refuses to enforce others

A Doctor who believes some STDs are a divine punishment so refuses to diagnose or treat them

[Enraged_Ape]

69. I disagree; this pharmacist does inherently discriminate...

against people who require the need for birth control pills (many of whom do not even take them for purposes of birth control, but for a variety of hormonal conditions).

As a physical therapist, I could make it a policy of mine not to treat injuries resulting from an alcohol-related motor vehicle accident (a substantial percentage, I assure you), because I have profound philosophical differences with drinking and driving (which I do). I would lose my job, and most likely my license, for practicing this way.

What I find almost laughable about this is that this jerk's deep spiritual beliefs do not take precedence over his desire to make an unspiritual buck. He could easily find work in another field, but he wants to make pharmacist money. It sort of reminds me of what Jesus said about trying to serve two masters.

[mondo joe]

71. Again, the pharmacist isn't providing the service to some but not others

And that's the key issue.

A pharmacist who refused to fill prescriptions for blacks only could not legally do so.

The problem here is that he's deciding what he will do in a professional capacity based on only his religious views, despite the fact that this is a VERY standard and expected function.

[lukasahero]

74. Um not really "anyone"

Only female "anyones" since last I checked only women used the pill...

[genieroze]

110. It says he doesn't carry any birth control

I would guess that includes condoms.

[mondo joe]

58. And the fundys always say "I'm not forcing my religion on you"

Right - they're not forcing their relgion on you - just the behavior dictated by their religion!

[freeplessinseattle]

59. Just think if all the pharms in a small isolated town refused

It's all well and good to say, "just go somewhere else" but what if the options keep getting more limited, and pretty soon women will have to travel 100's of miles to get birth control, and probably more frequentely, abortions.


furthermore as some women have mentioned in other threads, sometimes BC pills are prescribed for hormonal irregularities, for instance, I was prescribed the pill when I was 15 or 16, a couple years before I lost my virginity. They were prescribed b/c I had uncomfortable and heavy periods, and my mom had endometriosis, so I could be at risk. and amazingly enough I didn't lose my virginity until after being on the pill a couple years, and successfully fended off the numerous and verbally aggressive/manipulative advances of my dates. so some people will have sex or not regardless of birth control readily available or not.

[VegasWolf]

65. See how this religious nutjob tried to defend his position,

"he’s never been convinced from both a moral or scientific standpoint "

He just had to throw in the scientific angle so he doesn't look totally retarded to even the news media. These nutcases
don't believe in science.

[tx_dem41]

66. I know this won't be popular....

But the man owns the pharmacy. He can sell what he wants.

If he tries to confiscate prescriptions, he is wrong.

If he worked FOR a pharmacy, and refused to fill birth control prescriptions, he could (and should IMO) be fired. That's up to the owner of the pharmacy to determine...and then let the free market inflict its punishment.

[mondo joe]

67. I agree, in part. But his failure to provide full service should be noted

I agree that if he owns the pharmacy he should be able to decide what to stock.

However, I also think a pharmacy that does not stock standard and customary formulary should have to note all over the place that it's some sort of of "half pharmacy".

I furthermore think insurance companies should not contract with pharmacies that do not provide full service.

[tx_dem41]

68. Well, that brings up all sorts of questions....

On what legal basis, should be pharmacy be forced to post signage?

What if he/she were strapped for funds and were not able to compete with the big boys (e.g. CVS, Eckerd's, and Walgreen's) and, thus, couldn't provide a full range of products? Would you then punish this small business owner by forcing him to advertise his deficiencies?

And, who gets to define what "full service" means?

[mondo joe]

70. Full range of products doesn't mean every pharmaceutical

Questions are good. :-)

Not every pharmacy is expected to carry every pharmaceutical.

But there is a standard and customary range, which includes birth control pills.

You want to refuse to stock ANYTHING from a whole category of pharmaceuticals, fine - you're not a full service pharmacy.

Pharamcies provide a public service and the public has a right to know which businesses provide what. A pharmacy thatdoesn't provide VERY standard items puts a burden on the consumer.

And you'll note this guy's web page SAYS it's a full service pharmacy, but it isn'.

[tx_dem41]

72. I understand what you're saying, but...

I just don't like narrowly-written laws, and this one sounds like it (regardless of whether its for a good cause...and it is).

[mondo joe]

81. Surely there are alreay standards for licensing pharmacies

Surely there are alreay standards for licensing pharmacies with regard to formulary.

Some modest screen that labels pharmacies Full Service, Partial Service, Minimal Service shouldn't be burdensome.

It's a consumer tool like nutritional information on a package of food, or licensing of different physicians in different ways.

[sandnsea]

77. They find them

Believe me. I've gone into small town pharmacies that didn't carry every product. They FIND THEM and you either go purchase them in the big city or they have them shipped in. This is complete bullshit. A pharmacist does not have a right to make moral judgments about who he will give medicine to or why.

[AllegroRondo]

75. I disagree

Its not like he just opened a store and decided to sell medicine,
he had to get a license from the state in order to qualify as a pharmacist. Just like doctors are required to be licensed and cannot refuse services on religious grounds, pharmacists are in the same boat.

[northzax]

83. Sure doctors can refuse services

they do it all the time. You cannot force a doctor to perform a medical procedure. Would you mandate that all doctors perform abortions? many choose not to, they may be capable of performing the procedure, but for personal reasons choose not to. Doctors make priority decisions all the time: they deny transplants to people who are not 'worthy' for a multitude of reasons; they deny medication and services to people all the time.

A private company can choose to stock the products that they wish to. simple as that. If this pharmacist refuses to return a prescription to a customer that he is unable to fill, for whatever reason, and has no reasonable suspicion that the scrip is invalid, the law has a simple term for that: theft.

[sandnsea]

76. Public responsibility

This shows how bad the Reagan brainwashing has gotten that even some Democrats buy into the personal business rights over all else.

There are professions where moral judgment is required to be suspended. Doctors don't pass judgment before treating patients, not even known murderers. Firemen don't let a meth house burn. Cops don't stand by and watch gang shootings. And pharmacists can't decide which legal prescriptions to fill and not fill. It's a basic principle of morality in this country.

[tx_dem41]

78. Well, I agree with that list, up to...

Pharmacists, I guess. But you have me thinking, Sandnsea! :-)

That Reagan brainwashed comment really stung!

[sandnsea]

82. I meant it to

The pharmacist has just as much a responsibility to the public as the doctor, and keep in mind some doctors are saying they have the right to practice medicine based on their morals too. You have no idea what that means until you have a pregnant daughter who won't be able to access ALL reproductive choices she might need unless she travels 60 miles. Medically necessary choices that might come up. If she develops pain or bleeding, does she spend the time in the emergency room here and hope she gets the treatment she needs, or take the chance and travel the 60 miles where she knows she has all options available to her. There's no room for faith-based medicine in our society. And this whole individual rights stuff is direct Reagan brainwashing and has got to be confronted and stopped. It's ruining this country and is spreading across the world. It's no good at all.

[tx_dem41]

86. All good points....

Time to reassess.

[saracat]

87. Then he should be held medically responsible for any maladies that befall

his customers as a result of his refusal to sell them their medicine. If I had bled to death as a result of being unable to purchase B/C pills, I would sue the hell out of him. Even if people are inconvienced they should sue the bastard. If he refused to fill an antibiotic because he didn't believe in them and your kid dies from the infection would you say, it is his store? I think not. It is also the Doctor's practice and they can be sued for negligence. This is negligence!

[tx_dem41]

88. Nothing you have said disagrees with what I said (IMO) n/t

[saracat]

98. You didn't address negligence.

and I don't believe he has the "right to sell what he wants". That is why he would be negligent.

[mondo joe]

96. Child support for any kid born to any woman denied BC Pills!

I'd love that.

[snippy]

103. In some states he could not be fired by his employer for that.

The republican anti-abortionists are making a major push to pass state laws allowing pharmacists to refuse to fill prescriptions for the pill and prohibiting any employer from punishing or firing such a pharmacist. They have suceeded in several states and are hard at work in the rest.

[CAcyclist]

84. We should post the list of these Pharmacists for Life and

refuse to use them for any pharmaceuticals. Even in rural areas, it's possible to get prescriptions filled online.

[funkybutt]

89. great idea! (n/t)

[AuntieM1957]

99. Lloyd has no need of contraception

Since no one will do it with him.

Anyone want to help raise $$$ to get Lloyd laid?

Call the Lloyd Lay Foundation AT

Remedies Apothecary Inc


[phone]

[NVMojo]

102. another religious zealot, front and center, and we kill muslims?

[RememberTheCoup]

104. Can I say a word in defense of pharmacists here?

While correctly pointing out that a pharmacist should not impose his own religious beliefs on patients, some of you seem to be overstating the case and suggesting that a pharmacist is no more than sales clerk whose job is merely to hand out whatever drugs a doctor prescribes. Pharmacists are highly educated medical professionals who play an important role in a patient's treatment. They do indeed have the right and responsibility to refuse to fill prescriptions at times. For example, a pharmacist may see that a patient already has a prescription for another drug that would interact in a harmful way with the newly-prescribed drug. In that case the pharmacist would likely call the doctor so that the doctor could prescribe an alternative. Or, a pharmacist might detect that a doctor is prescribing large amounts of painkillers for too many of his patients and may have to report the doctor to the proper authorities. I realize these situations do not apply to the pharmacist in question, but let's not imply that pharmacists should just shut up and fill prescriptions and leave the thinkin' to the doctors.

[mondo joe]

105. Do you really think anyone wants contraindicated prescriptions filled?

I appreciate the sensitivity - pharmacists have an important and often unappreciated job.

But I don't think ANYONE here thinks pharmacists shouldn't refuse to fill a dangerous prescription. And if they did, I'd expect them to work with the patient and/or physician on what to do. Not simply refuse to fill it and keep the scrip.

[RainDog]

106. a pro women's rights pharmacist should open across the street

and have a big sign that says "Women's Rights Protected Here."

Call the newspaper, too.

Anyone know female pharmacists in the area?

[Angry Girl]

109. Here's my cartoon about it

Angry Girl
http://www.nightweed.com/angrygirlcartoons.html

[catnhatnh]

111. Unfair....

....If the town had only two pharmacies and his alone refused on "moral grounds", I could live with that.But in a town only large enough to support a single pharmacy it is the height of hypocrisy for him to use his monopoly of a portion of the health care system to inforce his religious views on others while taking the entire profits from that sector of healthcare....Would love to see this clown tarred and feathered and run out of town on a rail-that's my version of "Old Time Religion"!!!!