LAT: Bills Target Pharmacists Who Say 'No' (California)

[DeepModem Mom]

Bills Target Pharmacists Who Say 'No'
Lawmakers will consider two measures to force druggists to fill contraceptive and other prescriptions despite their moral objections

By Jordan Rau, Times Staff Writer


SACRAMENTO — With drugstores now a battleground in the war over reproductive rights, California lawmakers today will consider whether to create the nation's first law requiring pharmacists to fill emergency contraception prescriptions and other medications even if they find them immoral.

Two Democratic bills pending in the Legislature would require druggists to dispense all lawful drugs. Both proposals would allow California's 25,000 pharmacists to demur only if the store could ensure that the prescription would be filled by another without excessive inconvenience to the patient.

The push in Sacramento comes after four more states — Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi and South Dakota — gave pharmacists the right to refuse to fill orders about which they have moral qualms.

Reproductive-rights groups are pressing lawmakers elsewhere, including Missouri, New Jersey and West Virginia, to establish professional-duty laws for pharmacists. On Friday, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich issued a 150-day emergency order that would require pharmacists to fill contraceptive prescriptions, after a Chicago druggist refused to dispense birth-control pills....

***

Pharmacies were pulled into the fight over reproductive rights after the approval of the morning-after pill, which blocks a fertilized egg from implantation in the uterus. In 2002, California became the first state to allow pharmacists to write and fill prescriptions for emergency contraception pills. Objectors consider the medication a type of abortion....


http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-drugs5apr05,0,1513082.story?coll=la-home-local

[davidinalameda]

1. thanks for the post

the Senate bill is SB 644 and the House bill is AB 21

[SnowGoose]

2. and again I say...

if pharmacists can choose not to fill a prescription (without the threat of reprisal) because it's against their moral beliefs, then the same right *must* be afforded to all of us to refuse (without reprisal) to do things at work that violate our moral beliefs.

That includes the kid flipping burgers ("sorry sir, a hamburger stops a beating heart... you can either 'choose life' in my line, or try the next line over.").

[Tyrone Slothrop]

7. And can Democratic doctors refuse to treat Republicans?

I hope so.

I'd kind of like to see that happen and watch their heads spin.

[raccoon]

3. thanks for posting that nt

[saltpoint]

4. I support this bill whole-heartedly.

Pharmacists who oppose birth control etc. are protected under the Constitution for expressing their positions but they may not impose their objections onto others' lives.

Really appreciate your posting this, DeepModem Mom.

[central scrutinizer]

5. seems pretty simple

if you can't do your job, find another one

[Megahurtz]

6. GOOD!

This is good.

It's no "pro-lifers":freak:nosey business to refuse dispensing because of their own moral beliefs.

This is the same as Separation of Church and State.

The pharmacists need to do their job and keep their nose out of women's crotches. Elch! What are they??? Nosey pervs:freak::freak::freak::freak: or something???:puke:

It's none of their damn business!!! Shut up and do your job people!!!

[Shallah Kali]

8. Good! If they don't want to do the job they shouldn't take it

Are Catholic store clerks allowed to refuse to sell condoms? Are Muslims allowed to refuse to sell alcohol? Are vegetarians allowed to refuse to sell steaks? Are any of those who belong to a religion forbidding taking of human life allowed to refuse to sell guns and ammo because they might be used to kill someone?

[Willy Lee]

9. Our Illinois Governor just passed similar legislation.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/04/01/birth.control.governor.ap/

I love that man!!!

[warrens]

10. Why aren't these morons being picketed night and day?

And there are very few independent drug stores left. Why aren't these companies firing people who refuse to do their job?