Middle ground sought on morning-after pill (in Pennsylvania)

Patient care and pharmacists' rights are converging in the debate over the morning-after pill.

State Rep. Dan Frankel believes he's found middle ground in legislation that would ensure patients' access to emergency contraceptives while allowing pharmacists to refuse to dispense them based on their personal views against abortion.

According to the legislation, if a pharmacist refuses to fill the prescription, another pharmacist at the store must fill it or transfer it to another nearby pharmacy. The legislation also would ban pharmacists from humiliating or intentionally violating the privacy of customers seeking the prescription. Violators would face fines of up to $5,000.

"Emergency contraception is critical in cases of rape or accidents like condom breaks," Mr. Frankel said. "But it has to be taken within 72 hours to be effective so a busybody pharmacist can be a serious problem."


http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05346/620932.stm

people who feel the need to impose their own moral judgements on other people's medical treatment just don't chose a career as a pharmacist?

Is owning and enjoying one's body a constitutional right?

Pharmacists have a job. Their job is to fill prescriptions. Their ethical, moral, or other beliefs do not enter into the equation save for one situation, and that is; if they are so outraged about filling a perscription, they can choose to no longer work as a pharmacist.

And what is a "nearby pharmacy"? If it is a small rural town and/or the woman doesn't own a car, what is she supposed to do?

Sickening. Thankfully, Illinois has a governor who stands up for women.

:puke:

don't they take some kind of oath to do their duty to dispense whatever drugs have been prescribed to someone??

HOW ABOUT REFUSING TO FILL A VIAGRA PRESCRIPTION that maybe some guy took got a little too hard for too long and possibly raped someone who now needs the morning after pill.

ok unlikely scenario but you never know!

Sorry there is no 'middle ground'. This is just stupid. The 'morning after pill' only prevents ovulation. That's all it does. If a woman is already pregnant then it does nothing. IT IS NOT AN ABORTION PILL!!

God these people are stupid. They should know this stuff. IT IS NOT AN ABORTION PILL!!!!!!!!!!!

And even if it were. It's a legal phrmaceutical. There should be no exceptions in allowing the dispensing of it.

Let's have a debate about prescribing anti-biotics for syphillis or how about AIDS drugs? If women had just kept their legs crossed then the wouldn't need them. :sarcasm:

Mz Pip
:dem:

It prevents implantation of any fertilized egg. Since most fertilized eggs don't implant in any case, all the crocodile tears being shed by the right-to-rape crowd don't impress me a bit. No woman should be forced to become pregnant because someone else made that decision for her.

what is it about this 'script that requires it be controlled?

what a joke. this is in no way a compromise. it is surrendering to the fundies and claiming its a compromise is deceitful and cowardly.

No pharmacist should be licensed who is so ignorant as to believe (or act as if s/he believes) that emergency contraception is an abortifacient.

Do they refuse to sell condoms because they might be used in illicit sex? Do they quiz the men who buy them?

"You sure this is for the wife, Mr Jones? Just checking. By the way, if you're married like you say, you shouldn't be using a condom at all, because it's against MY religion."

"Mr Smith, what's this prescription for AZT? You gay? I don't feel comfortable filling this, because MY religion condemns gayness and says HIV/AIDS is God's judgment on the sinner."

The ability to accurately fill prescriptions is certainly an irreducible min qual for the job. Another one -- by law -- should be to fill all prescriptions without judging the customer in word or deed. This should be a min qual for retaining one's license.

The doctor who wrote the prescription has already determined the patient needs it -- whatever "it" is -- in order to safeguard their health. The AMA should be taking a strong stand on this interference, if they have not already done so.

Hekate

Any pharmacist who refuses to fill a prescription should be fired and the pharmacy in question should be fined or have their license revoked. A pharmacists religion has no place in other peoples medical decisions. Should we allow an ER surgeon to deny treatment for gay patient on religious grounds?