Pharmacists in an increasing number of instances have refused to fill prescriptions for such things as contraceptives. Their failure to perform their jobs stems–on the surface–from a dilemma they face regarding patients’ rights versus their cultist moral beliefs. Some druggists have even cited the “conscience clause,” an exception that most states have in place for actual doctors that allows them to recuse themselves from participating in procedures they might object to.
Let’s dig a little deeper. According to an article in the Christian Science Monitor, two Texan pharmacists “refused to fill a prescription for an emergency contraceptive for a woman said to be a rape victim.” While the employees were fired, we also have Colorado Gov. Bill Owens vetoing a bill requiring hospitals to inform rape victims about the availability of emergency contraceptives. Now I think we’re getting to the meat of the situation.
Conservatives consistently vote to cut funding for family-planning clinics, to limit access to contraception, and censor contraception information. Instead, they promote abstinence programs, even while extensive research shows that these policies consistently lead to negative consequences. Conservatives argue that easy access to these materials would simply cause promiscuity and irresponsibility (which is why, for example, Wal-Mart’s health insurance policy doesn’t cover contraception).
In a report by the Rockridge Institute, the real debate is about differing approaches to unintended pregnancy.
Policies that increase barriers to contraceptive and condom use don’t alter rates of sexual activity. However, individuals who are sexually active and do not use contraception or condoms have much higher rates of pregnancies, abortions, and STIs compared to those who use contraception and condoms. [Sources]
So we’re safe in concluding that the right wing extremists’ stance isn’t concerned so much about womens’ health as it is maintaining the usual authoritarian “punishment over prevention” model of discrimination. Hey, no one said it’s a crime to have morals, but if your business card says “Pharmacist,” and you’re not performing the duties laid out in your job description, then, technically, you are not a pharmacist. You’re a person standing behind a counter–a deeply-misguided person–and you should probably be tossed out by drugstore security for trespassing.
I agree.
Pharmacist’s Right?
–cl on Jun 10, 2005 @ 2:37 am