April 13, 2006

Tell Pharmacists to Obey the Law

Issue: The Washington State Board of Pharmacy is considering adopting a formal policy that would allow pharmacists in our state to refuse to fill prescriptions because of their personal beliefs. This is likely to result in pharmacists in our state refusing to fill women’s legal prescriptions for birth control, especially emergency contraception. Pharmacists should not be permitted to establish barriers that would prevent individuals from getting their lawfully prescribed drugs and treatment.

Background: This decision impacts all of us. While issue is being raised specifically in response to emergency contraception, it could allow pharmacists to refuse to fill prescriptions for men and women based on perceived sexual orientation, HIV status, martial status or for any other reason.

Pharmacists should not be allowed to refuse to fill prescriptions for any FDA-approved medication because of their beliefs. Denying any form of health care to individuals because of a personal or religious belief should not be tolerated. Individuals should be able to receive health care without discrimination or delay. The Pharmacy Board should do what pharmacy boards have done in all of the other states where this issue has come before them and reject the imposition of a pharmacist's personal belief on the health care decisions made between doctors and their patients.

Contraceptive use is a private and personal matter. Women seeking emergency contraception may already be feeling apprehensive, scared, and intimidated when they visit a pharmacist. A woman who is asking for emergency contraception may have been sexually assaulted. A pharmacist's refusal to fill the prescription can further traumatize an already vulnerable patient and create a significant barrier to accessing the medication in the time frame necessary especially if the woman is from a rural community with only one pharmacy and/or has limited access to transportation.

Emergency contraception is not abortion, it is birth control. The FDA states that emergency contraception is not effective if a woman is already pregnant. It prevents a pregnancy — it does not terminate a pregnancy. It acts principally by delaying or inhibiting ovulation and fertilization. Experts estimate that wider access to emergency contraception could prevent up to 1.7 million unintended pregnancies – and 800,000 abortions a year.

Action: Write the Washington State Pharmacy Board by April 18th urging them not to adopt a policy allowing pharmacists to refuse to fill legal prescriptions because of personal or religious beliefs. Contact the Pharmacy Board at:

Washington State Board of Pharmacy, PO Box 47863, Olympia WA 98504-7863 or via email to WSBOP@doh.wa.gov.

You can also attend and speak out at one of two pubic stakeholder meetings where participants will have two minutes each to speak:

Wednesday, April 19, 2006,
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Labor & Industries Auditorium
7273 Linderson Way SW
Tumwater WA 98501

Thursday, April 20, 2006
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Red Lion Hotel - Yakima Center
607 E. Yakima Avenue
Yakima WA 98901

For more information,, contact Pamela Crone at 206-650-0020 or pjcrone@comcast.net