Posted by Racer on August 29, 2007, at 20:39:55
In reply to Re: You can say that out loud. It's not a crime., posted by linkadge on August 29, 2007, at 15:05:14
> >They can, however, refuse to dispense any >prescription at any time and I have seen it >happen a lot.
>
> But there should be more requirement of the pharmacist that something allong the lines of "my personal beliefs prevent me from prescribing Plan B" etc.
>
> The pharmacist should have an obligation to provide the medication unless there is a substantial reason why the prescription should not be filled, in which case they should give the patient a valid reason, not just, "I suspect you of such and such, therfore I will not fill the prescription"
>
> Linkadge
>It's more often not a question of suspecting the patient of anything, but of the pharmacist's belief system. There was a case in the Midwest some time back about whether or not that was legal -- a few pharmacists were refusing to dispense contraceptive pills -- but I don't know the outcome.
My own personal opinion -- worth nothing beyond letting people know me better -- is that a pharmacist whose personal beliefs prevent him/her from dispensing a legal, properly prescribed substance which is sold by his/her employer, should face some consequences. I don't think that's right. I think, because we do have freedom of religion in this country, and some of these beliefs are quite integral to one's make up, that pharmacy's should be allowed to refuse to carry or dispense items such as birth control or whatever, if they choose -- but I don't think they should be contracted to insurance companies if they do so choose. That way, those who share the beliefs can choose to go there, but others won't be pressured by insurance companies to support them.
But, that's probably impossible for a lot of reasons.
And to state it more succinctly: I don't much care what you believe or what you do, just don't do it in the street and scare the horses.
poster:Racer
thread:779158
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070824/msgs/779612.html