Category:
Law suits
Region:
USA
State:
Washington
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PHARMACY POLICY WOULD ENSURE FILLING OF ORDERS
Source: Seattle Post Intelligencer
Date: 29-Mar-2007
Author: Susan Phinney
The Washington State Board of Pharmacy will vote April 12 on policy changes that would allow patients to get prescriptions filled even if pharmacists are opposed to them for moral, religious or ethical reasons.
It's an issue that's been debated since 2004 when reports began circulating nationwide that pharmacists were refusing to fill some prescriptions -- primarily those for the so-called Plan B, a birth control measure that needs to be taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse.
The latest proposals essentially would require pharmacies either to deliver legally prescribed drugs, or make sure customers could get the medication elsewhere in a timely manner.
The morning-after pill prevents the ovaries from releasing eggs, or stops an egg from implanting in the uterus. Opponents compare taking the pill to abortion, although many medical experts rebut that claim.
At a public hearing on the proposals Thursday, advocates and opponents appeared fairly evenly divided.
Proponents -- women with babies, a group of about 40 women in pink T-shirts proclaiming "Access Delayed is Healthcare Denied" and other advocates for women's health care -- were among about 200 people packed into the Renton Community Center for a public hearing.
There appeared to a large, well-organized group of opponents, including two men in the front row in black T-shirts with the message "Abortion is Homicide."
Under discussion were two proposals to amend a 1996 rule on Pharmacist's Professional Responsibilities and Pharmacies' Responsibilities. The first would make it a "pharmacist's primary responsibility to ensure patients receive safe and appropriate medication therapy." The second proposed rule requires pharmacies to deliver prescribed drugs and devices in a timely manner.
Nancy Sapiro of the Northwest Women's Law Center called the rules "patient-driven and focused."
Theresa Schrempp, a Bellevue attorney, called the rules "deeply flawed" and said they would cost millions of dollars and force some pharmacies to close.
Dozens of speakers signed up for two-minute opportunities to give their opinions on the issue. One man pointed out that his insurance company required him to use a specific pharmacy. If that pharmacy refused to fill a prescription, he would be forced to go elsewhere and pay full price.
A woman said she supported discrimination by pharmacists because "we must protect human life."
Gary Jacobson of Kenmore called pharmacists "a critical link between physicians and patients" and said he supports the proposed rules.
A spokesman for Washingtonians living with AIDS called the proposals "balanced." Several pharmacists stated they were against them.
When a spokeswoman in a pink T-shirt finished her remarks, she presented the board with a box of 2,000 signatures from those who hope to see these proposals go into effect.
The Pharmacy Board set the April 12 date at another meeting on Friday.
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