Pharmacists can’t say no to contraception

[dweller]

By Gene C. Gerard
Online Journal Contributing Writer
The retailer Target recently announced that it would allow pharmacists at its stores to refuse to fill prescriptions for emergency contraception
(EC), if dispensing it would violate their religious beliefs. When taken within 72 hours of sexual intercourse EC can prevent pregnancy. The
retailer will require pharmacists who refuse to fill the order to ask another pharmacist at their location to fill the prescription, or confirm for the
patient that it can be obtained elsewhere. Target joined Kmart and Costco in allowing pharmacists to refuse to fill a prescription for EC.

There has been an ongoing struggle this year between pharmacists who refuse to fill prescriptions for EC and birth control pills, and various
municipal and state governments who either support or oppose these actions. In April, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich issued an
administrative order that allows pharmacies not to sell contraceptives of any kind. But if they do, they are required to fill prescriptions for EC
or risk loosing(sic) their license. Illinois is the first state to do so. At least 10 pharmacists have sued the state on the grounds that the order forces
them to violate their religious beliefs. And the state has moved to revoke the licenses of two Walgreens pharmacies and an Osco pharmacy
for refusing to fill the prescriptions.

In Austin, Texas, the city council passed a measure in August requiring Walgreens, the pharmaceutical vendor for the city’s medical
assistance program, to fill any prescription “without discrimination or delay.” The measure was specifically aimed at pharmacies that have
refused to fill prescriptions for EC. The measure requires the pharmacies to fill prescriptions in the store where patients furnish their
prescriptions, regardless of a pharmacist’s religious beliefs. Austin is the first city in the nation to require pharmacies to fill all orders they
receive.

The Arizona legislature has chosen to side with pharmacists who have religious objections to EC. The Arizona House and Senate have
introduced legislation that would permit pharmacists to refuse to fill prescriptions for any contraception if they are morally opposed to it. And
pharmacists would not be required to assist the patient in filling the prescription elsewhere. Michigan’s legislature is considering a similar bill.
The California Assembly has taken a much wider approach. It is considering legislation that would allow a pharmacist to refuse to fill any
prescription for religious reasons. The pharmacist would only have to inform their employer in writing in advance.

http://onlinejournal.com/artman/publish/article_287.shtml


i'm crossposting in Health, GLBT, and R/E, please read the whole piece thoroughly.

dp

[bammertheblue]

1. If you don't want to fill

prescriptions, DON'T BE A PHARMACIST! Be a.....something else! It's called doing your job.

[Tigress DEM]

6. Exactly.... however the insanity is in place, so post the pic of the ...

religious objector on the wall along with an address for feedback so a person going up for the RX doesn't have to deal with it at all, but can complain to the appropriate source.

Soldiers go to war, but object to Iraq. In the same way, I suppose this may truly be an issue for some pharmacists. So as an open minded American I can see how they should be allowed their religious objections..... but I don't see that it should be allowed to provide a shameful experience by blindsiding a person who thinks they are going to a professional who leaves his own beliefs/issues about other's beliefs at home and does his/her job in an unbiased manner.

Hopefully, it wouldn't make the pharmacist a target for personal attack as long as there was an outlet to vent frustration to a feedback address. IE, "You just lost my business because of this policy, and I don't USE contraception, but I think pharmacists shouldn't be allowed to force their beliefs on others in this way."

[napi21]

2. Has there EVER been another drug a pharmicist refused to dispense?

With all the drugs on the market, I have to believe there are other drugs any ONE pharmacist would disagree with dispensing.

What about a drugist who had been abused deciding she wasn't going to fill a script for Viagra?

A Catholic drugist who won't dispense BC pills?

[panzerfaust]

7. YES: According to a link on BuzzFlash

Refusing to fill a prescription for drug for genital herpes saying God is punishing you for your sin

Clearly, do not know if this is true.

Sadly, it very well could be.

God Bless

[Crunchy Frog]

3. Can a Scientologist pharmacist

refuse to fill prescriptions for antidepressants? Can a pharmacist refuse to fill a Viagra prescription for a man who's not wearing a wedding ring? What are the limits to this sort of thing, and if there are limits, then isn't that discrimination by elevating some religious beliefs above others?

This whole business is just nuts.

[Bark Bark Bark]

4. Criswell!

"Let us punish the guilty; let us reward the innocent."
--Plan Nine From Outer Space

Walgreens gets my business, Target gets my nasty e-mails.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051201/ap_on_re_us/birth_control_pharmacists

[panzerfaust]

5. Pain Relief and WOG

Pain is inflicted by God as (by definition) just punishment for Sin

Disease is sent by God to scour clean the soul

Injury and disability are marks of God's Displeasure

Any pharmacist who would fill a prescription to alleviate any of these conditions is thwarting the Will of God and should be slain by True Believers

Though both would seem to be oxymorons

No. Just make that regular morons

God Bless