TDPS: "Pro-life" pharmamcist refuses bleeding girl medication on abortion "suspicion"

[celtics23]

Run time: 05:12 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nF2W3XI3UkM   Posted on YouTube: January 28, 2011 By YouTube Member: MidweekPolitics Views on YouTube: 358   Posted on DU: January 29, 2011 By DU Member: celtics23 Views on DU: 3953

 
From: www.davidpakman.com | Subscription: www.davidpakman.com/membership | YouTube: www.youtube.com/midweekpolitics

[aliciaabs19]

1. Having "pro-life" in quotes in the title is perfectly accurate

Nothing pro life about it

[tins0404]

2. Very good reporting on this

[forty6]

6. As always, excellent reporting by David P. Both background reporting and factual

elements to the current story. But it's not just reporting, it's sound journalistic editorializing. We need more of this to combat the batshit crazies on Fox and friends, who not only don't know nor don't report the full factual story and background on an incident, the editorialize on false and factless misleading reporting to make Democrats look bad.

David is quite the opposite; he and Louis, although clear and progressive in their opinions, ALSO present the full story and reasons behind the incident, in this case a pharmacist willing to put a woman's life at risk by her own refusal to deliver legally prescribed pharmaceutical treatment.

The only thing I seem to see left out is the name and address of that pharmacist, perhaps for sound reason. I would have preferred a name, address of the pharmacy and picture of the pharmacist. Also, a link to a print version of this story would be appreciated.

[PSzymeczek]

22. It was at a Walgreen's

in Nampa, Idaho. This story came out a few weeks ago.

[Riftaxe]

3. I had to laugh at timemark 2:44

Not really the way to further his argument.

[sulphurdunn]

4. One may reasonably infer

that "pro-life" fanatics actually want women who have had abortions or anyone with HIV to die.

[DreamSmoker]

5. This has Religious Right all over it....

From murder of Doctors, Bombing clinics, to this crap....
This has Religious Right all over it.....
They are infiltrating Government from local to Federal.. Its their way or the highway.. The end justify the means...
Even if its Murder in the name of Pro Life....

[Chakaconcarne]

7. Even without the conscience clause.......

any pharmacist has the right to deny filling a prescription they aren't comfortable with. Not saying it's right, not protecting this pharmacist, but there are instances where the pharmacist is just in doing so and they are protected under law. The nurse was obligated to provide information the pharmacist was asking for and obviously doesn't understand what is and what is not protected under HIPAA. This story is slightly over dramatized because this woman was not bleeding to death and unless this was the ONLY pharmacy in her town, she could easily go somewhere else.

[Heathen57]

8. Sorry, but you don't seem to understand the HIPAA

act and what all it entails. The nurse practitioner (who called in the script)did not and indeed could not tell the pharmacist just shat the med was for, or what procedure the woman had just went through. She would be breaking patient confidentiality and thus be in arrears with the law herself. There was no logical reason that this pharmacist would need such information.

What wasn't said in the video was that in addition to not filling the script, she refused to forward it to a pharmacy who would. She essentially held the woman hostage because she MIGHT of had an abortion. She was making herself judge and executioner over this woman. She apparently thought the woman should bleed to death because she might of had an abortion that she didn't approve of.

I sure don't want my health in the hands of one like that.

[Chakaconcarne]

34. The Nurse doesn't have to tell her what the med is for...

but the pharmacist can choose not to fill it if that pharmacist is unsure what it's being prescribed for. I'm clear on HIPAA, I work with it everyday. The pharmacist and provider have a relationship when they share a patient and any of that patient information can be exchanged if it is used to further the care of the patient, PERIOD. Providers make prescription errors more than you would think and the pharmacist is the final line in ensuring safe medicine delivery to patients. Methergine is not prescribed very often and if a RX is written poorly, its sloppy and unclear (looks like other similarly sounding drugs, ie: Meclizine), the dosing is strange, etc. the pharmacist has to clarify it and it that is when indications can and should be shared if necessary. The nurse failed to do her job as a provider and gave this pharmacist a clear out to not fill. Furthermore, unless there are no other pharmacies in the area (which is unlikely) the pharmacist is NOT obligated to refer to another pharmacy, at least in my state.

[Mushroom]

43. This particular pharmacist

didn't care about the patient's health. She administered punishment to the patient. She asked the nurse if methergine was for an abortion and the nurse wouldn't answer that question citing HIPAA federal patient privacy laws. When the nurse asked for another pharmacist to fill the prescription, the pharmacist hung up.

Here's the link:

Complaint: Pharmacist refuses to fill prescription over abortion concerns

http://www.ktvb.com/home/Planned-Parenthood-files-complaint-against-Nampa-pharmacist-113429849.html

My favorite line:

KTVB asked a Walgreen's spokesman if the pharmacist faced any disciplinary action.

"We were told the company does not comment on personnel matters."

[Chakaconcarne]

38. Here is the HIPAA information for you....

http://www.cdphp.com/providers/hipaa.aspx

[saras]

11. Sounds like a horribly miswritten law

If the pharmacist isn't 'comfortable' practicing the medical profession, he needs to get another job.

If the law says his 'comfort' overrides sound medical opinion, the law needs to be fixed.

[greiner3]

12. Take a stroll up and down the aisles near the;

Pharmacist, the ones that say 'health and beauty. They are full of junk, scams and outright harmful potions. It is the pharmacist's job to promote and recommend this crap if asked. Why does the same 'moral' pharmacist become a drug pusher and keep a lawful prescription out of the hands of a needing person at the same time?

Imagine if a cop only helped those he considered moral; a doctor who only ministered to his version of morality. Or take the businessman who did not serve those who he thought beneath him? BTW, are you Rand Paul, because that is what he is proposing.

Now, how about that same pharmacist who had qualms about mental health. That pharmacist might believe mental health is all in the mind-there are many religions that promote just this same concept-and refuses to dispense psychotropics. Or he thinks all diabetes is caused by overeating and won't dispense diabetes medication-sloth caused.

Morality? That is something for each person to decide for themselves and not to try and legislate morality. If people are going to be put into a situation where they can no longer serve their customers then they need to get another line of work.

Overhyped? Another story that proves America is slipping quickly into a Theocracy, where the 30% will impose their will upon the rest of the citizens.

[Rozlee]

15. Without the patient's written permission, the pharmacist would not be able to get this info

Even doctors treating the same patient can't legally communicate with each other about that patient's care without the patient's permission. My neurologist can't call up my gastroenterologist to ask a question about my care unless he was given a consult to do so at some point and I agreed to it. That pharmacist was beyond wrong. She was unethical to even attempt to try and get such information. Especially for such a reason as personal ideology.

[Chakaconcarne]

35. That is entirely untrue....

[dflprincess]

17. The only time a pharmacist has any business overruling a physcian

is when there is concern about a drug interaction or has a good faith reason to think the doctor may prescribed the wrong drug. But when that happens, the pharmacist usually makes a call to the doctor - they don't leave the patient to sort it out by themself.

[Chakaconcarne]

36. Precisely.... and this nurse failed to provide that information...

the pharmacist had nothing to go by, no indication. Usually, there is no problem with communication between providers over med clarification, but in this case there was.

[Chakaconcarne]

37. By the way, those of you who are unclear about HIPAA law...

Yes, your information can and is shared if it is based around your care:

http://www.cdphp.com/providers/hipaa.aspx

[Mushroom]

42. A malicious druggist

uses her education, license, medical profession, and place of business/employment to harm patients for her own personal - personal - beliefs. End of story.

[LynneSin]

21. Why be a pharmacist if you aren't doing your job. These people are NOT doctors

this is what really disturbs me. If I refuse to do my job I'll get fired and yet these people are celebrated as some sort of whacked out 'heros' by the anti-choice crowd for not doing their job.

[EC]

26. Bull.

The pharmacist needs a new occupation and when choosing an occupation, needs to pick one that won't go against her conscience. She knew before she took the job what it entailed and took it anyway.

[slay]

31. A pharmacist should be FIRED for refusing to fill ANY legal prescription period

what the fuck! so if i work at mcdonalds and i'm a vegetarian, can i refuse to serve you a hamburger?

give me a fucking break. what the hell is wrong with people in this country.

the pharmacist fills a legal prescription or he/she get fired end of story. any law that provides otherwise is bullshit and caters purely to right wing nutjobs - AND is prejudiced against women. unfuckingreal. :grr:

[AnnieBW]

9. What happened to the girl?

Did she manage to get the medication (I'm assuming Provera, based on my own experience with uterine bleeding)? Is she going to sue the pharmacist?

[47of74]

24. Apparently she did.

But, here's the sickening part;

NAMPA, Idaho - The Idaho State Board of Pharmacy says a Nampa area pharmacist did nothing wrong when they denied filling a woman's prescription medicine last year.

Last November, the local Planned Parenthood chapter says a woman was denied the drug Methergine at a Nampa area Walgreens. The drug is commonly used to stop bleeding after childbirth or an abortion.

Planned Parenthood said the pharmacist said she wouldn't fill it if it was used following an abortion. The practitioner, however, did not give her that information based on HIPAA laws.

[Shining Jack]

10. K&R

That's totally insane. :(

[nolabear]

13. Wierd thing about the replies. Almost no one with over 1000.

I don't know why I bring it up; it's just an oddity.

As for the doctor, this kind of thing scares and sickens me.

[WhoIsNumberNone]

28. I wouldn't say almost no one-

-but I do see an unusually high number in single digits. I guess this is the sort of hing that gets 'lurkers' riled up enough to open an account...

[Control-Z]

30. Doctor?

Did you intend to type "pharmacist"?

"As for the doctor, this kind of thing scares and sickens me."

[get the red out]

14. So they're religion trumps life

Really, that would be pro-fanaticism, not pro-life. I worry that it is legal to be far more pro-fanatic than actually pro-life. Religion trumping all, and people worry about Sharia Law and such. Hilarious.

[colsohlibgal]

16. Messed Up Wiring In The Brain

Thses kind of people are clinically insane IMHO. A lot of the over the top pro life people are gung ho for our wars, so I guess they are only pro life in some ways.

[WhoIsNumberNone]

19. They're only pro-fetus. Not pro-life.

They're fine with spending tax money to make sure that fetus gets born, but as soon as it hits the air it's on it's own.

[El3]

18. Forced Birthers

I think we really need to stop allowing them to frame the debate. One step is to stop using their language.

We ought to call them what they are: Forced Birthers.

[LynneSin]

20. STOP CALLING THEM 'PRO-LIFE' - THEY ARE ANTI-CHOICE

These people do absolutely NOTHING to save lives. We need to stop calling them that!

[celtics23]

23. hence the quotes...David called them anti-choice in the clip i think

[mzteris]

39. They are anti-women's rights.

They want women subservient, barefoot & pregnant.

They're mentally deranged because they believe in some "skygod" dictating who should live and who should die. They have a "god-complex" themselves by pretending to do some imaginary beings "work".

[PDJane]

25. The US has allowed the fringes to frame the debate.

Pro-Life was a choice of the right. It makes them sound all moral and holy and upright.

They aren't.

They are hypocrites, for the most part, who should not have been allowed to frame the words used in the debate. They are anti-abortion, anti-woman, anti-choice...but they are not pro-life or pro-child. They sure as hell don't care about quality of life or the lifes of children who might be forced to bear babies. The reich wing has managed to take over the political debate....even though the vast majority of Americans I have spoken to and with are not as far right as the political discourse makes it seem.

And the 'conscience' clause is ridiculous. If my pharmacist finds that someone has prescribed a medication with codiene in it, his computer will start to flash.....and will tell him not to prescribe that medication. Other than that, he is not allowed to refuse a medication for anyone for reasons of conscience. That's just here, of course, but it is here.

The supreme court has stated that same sex individuals cannot force a religious leader to perform a marriage certemony, but the Justice of the Peace or Registrar, being a government employee, cannot refuse to do so. That's a compromise, and I believe it's a fair trade off...since the benefits of marriage are granted by the state, the religious ceremony is just a very expensive bit of fluff.

I don't care how badly the woman was bleeding, or if she could get to another drug store; she would have had to go back to her health care provider for a scrip, and/or shop around for a drugstore to fill it. That's insane, especially if you are in an emotional state anyway. That's none of the pharmacist's business, and she had no right to ask or make it her decision. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THIS, AND THERE IS NO REASON FOR THE CONSCIENCE CLAUSE TO BE INVOKED UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

The druggist needs to find another line of work.....one where she has no reason to come in contact with people who need her to do the job of dispensing.

[Chakaconcarne]

40. I am appalled by anti-choice, anti-woman, but.....

you're making tons of claims here about legality that are completely untrue and it doesn't help our cause one bit. It just fuels the other side who can say we don't know what the hell we are talking about.

[PDJane]

41. Please note, I said HERE..........

Here being Canada, and it is true HERE.....not there. I do know the laws HERE, and there is a difference between here and there... and I am apalled at the fact that a law would exist that would allow a druggist to do what this one did.

[Chakaconcarne]

44. In general, the law is a good one and has purpose.....

unfortunately there will always be a few who use it in ways some of us don't like.

[PDJane]

45. No. It isn't and it doesn't.

Your religious conscience has nothing to do with your job, I'm sorry. If it does, then you should pick another job.

I realize that religion is a taboo in the US, but a man or woman's belief, whether it pertains to birth control and abortion, transfusions and organ transplants or homosexualtiy and 'perversions'....has nothing whatever to do with the right of a patient to get prescribed drugs or the ability of a couple to marry. It is an outrageous perversion of the rights of one class as opposed to another, and it is something that one sees in dictatorships and fascist states.

[RainDog]

27. Charge him with attempted murder

and, hopefully, he will be convicted and spend the rest of his life in jail.

women are not second-class citizens. women DO NOT have to answer to some religious zealot in order to receive health care in this nation.

[Tsiyu]

29. Amen

I am so sick of Forced Birthers ( i like that moniker offered by El3 above) using another human's body in order to make THEMSELVES feel more "moral."

This pharmacist (and I wish we could expose the name here - i am on dialup and so cannot see the video) decided she wanted to be one of the "moral elite" and use someone else's health issues to make her point about "morality." Use your own body to score your Kristchyun Brownie Points!

No one should be in the medical profession who would use another person's illness to make a political statement. Medicine is about healing, not about preaching to, or campaigning while discriminating against your patients.

[slay]

32. +1

the time for catering to far right fundies at the cost of our own rights is OVER!

[trumad]

33. I really like David Pakman and his show...

The kid has a future and I wouldn't be surprised to see him on the big stage very soon.