Pharmacists refuse to fill prescriptions for birth control pills and emergency contraceptives
Jillian McKnight ; U-WIRE (DC BUREAU)
Issue date: 4/13/05 Section: News
WASHINGTON - Increasingly, women across the country are finding it more difficult to fill prescriptions for birth control pills and emergency contraceptives. Pharmacists citing religious and moral opposition to the medications are refusing to fill prescriptions. Though a national debate, the issue over pharmacists' rights is quickly reaching college campuses.
"Contraception is a basic health care need for women, including college women," said Rachel Vogelstein a Fellow at the National Women's Law Center.
Refusals have been reported in California, Washington, Georgia, Illinois, Wisconsin, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Texas as well as several other states. It is not known how wide spread refusals may be on college campuses.
In 2002, a University of Wisconsin student was refused access to her birth control prescription by an off-campus pharmacists. Disciplinary action has since been filled against the pharmacist a ruling from the licensing board is expected shortly.
Pharmacists are controlled by state laws and licensing boards. Bills that would allow pharmacists to refuse filling contraceptives on religious or moral opposition are pending in 11 states, including Wisconsin.
"We are working to amend those bills to protect women's health," said Vogelstein.
NWLC recently scored a big success when Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich signed legislation protecting immediate access to contraception.
"Five weeks ago, two women called in prescriptions to their local pharmacy in the South Loop to purchase contraceptives. The law gives them every right to do that. Each woman had a prescription from her doctor. Both women only sought to buy contraceptives. And yet both were denied. Why? Because the pharmacist refused to fill the prescription.
"Unfortunately, this story is not unique to Chicago or to Illinois. Cases like this have been popping up all over the country. I have a sneaking suspicion that in all likelihood, this is part of a concerted effort to deny women access to birth control. Those involved in this effort may be getting away with this in other states, but here in Illinois, we are not going to let that happen," said Gov. Blagojevich in a press release April 1.
"Contraception is a basic health care need for women, including college women," said Rachel Vogelstein a Fellow at the National Women's Law Center.
Refusals have been reported in California, Washington, Georgia, Illinois, Wisconsin, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Texas as well as several other states. It is not known how wide spread refusals may be on college campuses.
In 2002, a University of Wisconsin student was refused access to her birth control prescription by an off-campus pharmacists. Disciplinary action has since been filled against the pharmacist a ruling from the licensing board is expected shortly.
Pharmacists are controlled by state laws and licensing boards. Bills that would allow pharmacists to refuse filling contraceptives on religious or moral opposition are pending in 11 states, including Wisconsin.
"We are working to amend those bills to protect women's health," said Vogelstein.
NWLC recently scored a big success when Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich signed legislation protecting immediate access to contraception.
"Five weeks ago, two women called in prescriptions to their local pharmacy in the South Loop to purchase contraceptives. The law gives them every right to do that. Each woman had a prescription from her doctor. Both women only sought to buy contraceptives. And yet both were denied. Why? Because the pharmacist refused to fill the prescription.
"Unfortunately, this story is not unique to Chicago or to Illinois. Cases like this have been popping up all over the country. I have a sneaking suspicion that in all likelihood, this is part of a concerted effort to deny women access to birth control. Those involved in this effort may be getting away with this in other states, but here in Illinois, we are not going to let that happen," said Gov. Blagojevich in a press release April 1.