Pharmacists denying birth control

Pharmacists denying birth control based on religous beliefs

What do you guys think of this? I've heard good arguments on both sides of the issue. My opinion is that pharmacies are essentially a business and the pharmacist runs it. If he doesn't want to sell a particular drug, that's his perrogative. If a pharmacist decides he's going to dispense ONLY aspirin and nothing else, that's his right. If you want something other than aspirin, just don't shop there. A drug store is just that: a store. If they don't sell what you want to buy, go somewhere that does

 

If they don't sell what you want to buy, go somewhere that does

Unfortunately, in many rural areas, there isn't "somewhere else".

 

The problem stems from cases where there isn't another pharmacy nearby. I shouldn't have to drive an hour to the next pharmacy just because a pharmacist doesn't think I should be using BCPs. Secondly, it isn't up to the pharmacist to override a doctor's prescription. The pharmacist does not have the person's (in this case woman's) medical history and cannot make a sound medical judgement. A pharmacist's job is to dispense medication. If they have moral issues with certain medications, they should find another line of work.

 

From the article: "In essence, I would be causing a chemical abortion, and as a Christian, I am impelled not to do anything that destroys life."

If there were a fetus involved...yes. But Birth Control pills don't have anything to do with a fetus. I'm not an expert, but I think they just prevent ovulation. Plan B pills also don't necessarily involve even a fertilized egg.

As far as a health care worker having the right to refuse service based on moral grounds, not only is that bad business, it is ridiculus. Should a doctor be able to refuse treatment if they think they are playing god? Something like shocking the heart to normalize the heartbeat...sounds like taking a dead man and bringing them back to life.

I'm willing to bet these pharmacists have no problem selling Viagra.

 

If the pharmacists don't want to do their jobs, they should be fired. It's that simple.

 

I see where both sides are coming from, but the one question I have is:

What is to keep the law from forcing doctors to perform abortions?

 

Doctors choose their medical specialties.

 

I'm sure abortions aren't there own medical specialties.

*Edit*

And even if they were, would the law require every hospital have an abortion doctor?

 

We're not discussing "ifs" here. No one has suggested making laws requiring doctors to perform abortions.

The topic is pharmacist's refusing to fill prescriptions and give back unfilled prescriptions based on "moral" grounds.

 

No one has suggested making laws requiring doctors to perform abortions.

But that is the precedent this law would set.

 

Religious stupidity? In America? Why am I not surprised? On a less vitrol note these people should be fired. If they can't perform their jobs then they're worthless.

 

What if there boss agrees with them, FID?

 

It is not setting a precedent. Pharmacists are required to prescribe medications--it is their job. A few religious pharmacists have decided to make medical decisions, beyond their scope of training, and refuse to prescribe certain medications on the basis of "moral" grounds.

 

Put them out of their misery? Seriously, if you can't do your job where you're supposed to hand out medication to people because your religion says it's wrong you should be fired. Or kicked out of town. I have no tolerance for stupidity on this level. And yes, it is stupidity. They're not the ones that are taking the pill.

 

A pharmacists job is to make ensure people get the medicine they need and that it won't harm them.

These pharmacists believe that the birth control pills cause embryos (which they consider people) to die. They are doing there job by not filling the perscription.

 

I'm gonna have to say no, they're not. Birth control prevents pregnancy and the morning after pill is a precaution as well. So yeah, fire those people. And fire them well.

 

I could see a 'wrongful life' lawsuit if a customer was denied birth control in the only pharamacy within a certain distance and fell pregant as a result.

Hope those religious pharmacists have insurance.

 

They are required not to do harm to the patient. An embryo is not the patient. Besides, most medications in general are "harmful" to a fetus. Are you suggesting we not prescribe any medication to women because they might be pregnant?

Again, the pharmacist DOES NOT know the circumstances nor has the medical knowledge to decide whether or not a woman should be prescribed BCPs. BCPs are indeed necessary for certain conditions or while a woman is on certain medications. It is not within the pharmacists scope of authority.

 

Birth control prevents pregnancy and the morning after pill is a precaution as well.

They can also kill an embryo by stopping it from attaching to the uterous wall, which many consider to be murder.

 

I'd sue the pharmacy and the pharmecists individually. And I'd win if I did, know why? They weren't doing their jobs adequately.


They can also kill an embryo by stopping it from attaching to the uterous wall, which many consider to be murder.

Your point? The law doesn't recognize a fertalized embryo as a person.

 

So businesses no longer have the right to refuse service?

 

If it's a public service, no.

 

If it's a public service, no.

I think its time to pull out the PPOR.

 

[Nelson]Ha ha![/Nelson]

I think with all the evidence supporting how realistic and tenable abstinence-only sex-ed is, this is a sound and intelligent move which will make definate headway in the fight against copulation outside of marriage, which is of course the realm of Satan.



E_Sarcastic

 

A PPOR to prove that providing medication to people is a public service? You're funny. A pharmacy gives medication to people so they won't D I E if they need them or for whatever (legal) reason. The public is served by receiving the medication. You are aware that insurance companies do dictate to you (in some cases) where you can and cannot get your prescription filled, yes? HMO's (IIRC) can do this.