Impact of Pharmacists’ Religious and Personal Beliefs in Dispensing Contraceptives

Background: Until recently, pharmacies were allowed to distribute emergency contraceptives to women to prevent pregnancy. The legal requirement that a pharmacist with a religious, moral or moral dissent opinion can refuse to prescribe contraceptives also has no direct guidelines to describe the pharmacist's professional obligation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate how often pharmacists refuse to provide counseling on contraceptives due to their personal belief or refuse to refer patients to different pharmacists or providers It was to investigate. This study contrasts and contrasts the differences between independent pharmacies and chain pharmacies (ie, time, place, and most commonly recommended contraceptives). Finally, this study compares the apparent results between male pharmacists and female pharmacists.

(1) "I will move with my fiancé / boyfriend next month, I have never used contraceptive pills.What kind of options are there?"

The survey took place in Philadelphia area of ​​Pennsylvania and Hershey. This survey was conducted through an independent dialogue with an independent pharmacy or a chain pharmacy, with a pharmacist. The data collected from each pharmacist includes the approximate age / sex number, the time spent discussing with the patient each time, the privacy provided during consultation, and introductions, if any.

RESULTS: 50 pharmacists were interviewed. One pharmacist refused to give advice on Plan B, but four pharmacists immediately introduced an interviewer to a doctor, which indicated that all medications require prescriptions. Two pharmacists spend more than 10 minutes to provide the best consultation

Likewise, discussion continues as to whether pharmacists should be forced to breach their religious and moral beliefs by distributing contraceptives potentially leading to abortion. In the past few years, ACLJ has represented the Illinois state pharmacist and pharmacy owner, and in one such case last year the judge dismissed Illinois state regulations requiring pharmacists to distribute abortion drugs did. In this case there is no evidence that people in Illinois can not obtain emergency contraceptives due to pharmacist's religious opposition. In addition, earlier this year, a federal judge in Washington prohibited the implementation of domestic pharmacy regulations aimed at forcing religious opponents to distribute abortion drugs.

US media, state and federal policy makers pay much attention to this year's pharmacist refusing to distribute contraceptives such as emergency contraceptives and other prescription drugs. In fact, this problem is rarely novelty; policy makers have for many years and under what circumstances individuals or agencies involved in providing healthcare or related services relate to services or ethical or religious reasons We insist on refusing to provide information. ("Balance of conscience of new refusal providers", patient needs, "TGR, August 2004, 1 page)

The guidance of the Equal Employment Opportunity Committee issued in July 2008 clearly defines the application of the adaptation requirements of Chapter 7 in the context of pharmacists as religious beliefs for their drug contraceptives. This department is hired by multiple pharmacist pharmacies and is either against the distribution of contraceptives or helping customers to answer questions about contraceptives. However, pharmacists should not ignore contraceptive requirements or customers having problems. According to the rules and guidelines of the Equal Employment Opportunity Committee, employers do not have to respond to requests during their stay, but short interactions with customers requiring contraception or adapt to business interruption There are even sex. A fine was imposed or ended because it violated legal expectations. 27

Religious objections to medical services by health care providers: legal issues related to religious discrimination in employment clauses and conscience clauses