Pharmacies Balk on After-Sex Pill and Widen Fight in Many States

[rodeodance]

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/19/national/19pill.html?th&emc=th

April 19, 2005
Pharmacies Balk on After-Sex Pill and Widen Fight in Many States
By MONICA DAVEY and PAM BELLUCK

CHICAGO, April 18 - As a fourth-generation pharmacist whose drugstore still sits on the courthouse square of his conservative small town downstate, State Senator Frank Watson knew exactly what side to take when Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich ordered pharmacies to fill prescriptions for women wanting the new "morning after" pill, even if it meant putting aside their employees' personal views.

"The governor is trying to make a decision that must be left to the pharmacy," said Senator Watson, whose family business, Watson's Drug Store in Greenville, Ill., does not stock the pill. "It's an infringement on a business decision and also on the pharmacist's right of conscience."........


In some states, legislators are pushing laws that would explicitly grant pharmacists the right to refuse to dispense drugs related to contraception or abortion on moral grounds. Others want to require pharmacies to fill any legal prescription for birth control, much like Governor Blagojevich's emergency rule in Illinois, which requires pharmacies that stock the morning-after pill to dispense it without delay. And in some states, there are proposals or newly enacted laws to make the morning-after pill more accessible, by requiring hospitals to offer it to rape victims or allowing certain pharmacists to sell it without a prescription.

Some of the bills could become moot if the Food and Drug Administration approves the morning-after pill for over-the-counter sale by pharmacists, something advocates for women's reproductive rights and several Democratic senators have pressured the agency to do.........


......"This is going to be a huge national issue in the future," said Paul Caprio, director of Family-Pac, a conservative group that urged pharmacists in Illinois to ignore Governor Blagojevich's rule. "Pharmacists are coming forward saying that they want to exercise their rights of conscience."

Nancy Keenan, the president of Naral Pro-Choice America, said she believed the issue was blocking women in many parts of the country from getting morning-after prescriptions filled, though she had no firm statistics. "It's difficult to get the hard numbers because there's not a mechanism for women to report this," she said. "But we have heard about cases from Beverly Hills to Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Chicago - it seems to be all over the country."
.......

[Zhade]

1. This shit is ORGANIZED. Damn them all.

NT!

[KittyWampus]

40. Very Good Point That Might Not Be Immediately Seen.

thanks for pointing that out.

[Fescue4u]

2. Seems like it would be difficult to force pharmicies

to fill the prescription.

Given the nature of this pill (must be taken within x number of hours), pharmacies could just not stock it.

If someone comes in asking for it, they could offer to special order it, but considering that orders take time to fill, they would render it moot.

Unless laws are passed that require pharmacist to stock certain items, Im not sure what could be done. That would be a difficult hurdle in most states, not to mention it does intrude on the rights of small businss.

Fwiw, Im most definitley pro choice, but that cuts both ways and people have the right to choose not to provide abortions.

Just as I would have a problem with requiring all doctors to provide abortions, I cant see that I could support requiring all pharmacist to provide abortions either.

Having said that, id support a law that requires pharmacies to fill a prescription if they have ready stocks on hand, but Id stop short of requiring them to stock all known medicines.

[cap]

3. in rural areas, women have few choices for pharamacies...

and I'm not sure that I would want to run around all over creation in a major city. Remember Walmart has forced a lot of Mom and Pop pharmacies out of business.

Either that or get these pills sold on the internet.

[Fescue4u]

4. That true and I recognize that as a problem

Im not so concerned about major citys when there's a pharmacys on about every block, many times with competing pharmacys right next to each other.

But when there's just one in a rural area and they don't provide certain services, thats a problem.

FWIW, its not just the morning after pill that this is problem though. Its simply not feasable for a pharmacy to stock all known medications...ESPECIALLY for rural pharmacys with a limitd set of customers.

[rodeodance]

5. to many 'contraception'='abortion' (unfortunately)

from the article;
...While a few doctors and pharmacists have for years declined to prescribe or sell birth control pills for religious reasons, the objections of some to the morning-after pill are more vehement because they consider it to be more akin to abortion.

The reason the morning-after pill has touched off such debate hinges on the way each side sees the drug, which is also known as Plan B or the emergency contraceptive pill.

Abortion rights advocates and most physicians say the pill, unlike the French drug RU-486, is not an abortion drug because it does not destroy an embryo. Instead, the pill prevents ovulation or fertilization, or blocks a fertilized egg from becoming implanted in the uterus.

Proponents feel it is critical for many pharmacists to offer the morning-after pill because women have only a small window of time after sex in which to obtain and use it. The pill is effective up to three to five days after intercourse, and it is most effective when taken immediately......

[radfringe]

7. but they seem to have NO PROBLEM

dispensing Viagra or selling condoms....

[TheDebbieDee]

8. Ding! Ding! Ding!

I agree whole-heartedly with that argument, too! These pharmacists have problems filling contraceptive prescriptions for women but will fill a prescription to cure limp dicks without a second thought.

Their moral objections basically make it okay for pharmacists to discriminate against women!

[Dogmudgeon]

11. Can we dispense with the male-bashing, please?

Plenty of pharmacies refuse to sell condoms or erectile-deficiency meds.

The "limp dick" quips are as offensive to men as the "close your legs" argument is to women. It's sexist, insulting, and divides our efforts.

I know that many men have been bad to you. A few women have been bad to me, too. That's just personal stuff, and no politics enters into it. So while we complain how all men are rapists and patriarchs with Hummer H-2s and "limp dicks", and how all women are gold-diggers and barflies, the Grand Knucklehead and his Knoble Knights of the Know-Knothing Knetwork are making sure the nooses they got on sale at Wal-Mart will work properly.

We need to spend more time thinking of ways to carry the fire to them.

--p!

[LostinVA]

13. I honestly don't think people are male-bashing, Pigwidgeon

Although I can see how you might see it as that. I think that, as women, things have not only not gotten better over the last 20 years, they have gotten worse, and it often seems like it's open season us and our lives. This is an ORGANIZED effort by PROFESSIONALS, that is as scary as hell. They've refused "morning after" pills to date rape victims, and refuse to fill other legal scripts. They are breaking so many professional ethics here.

And, I honestly haven't read of any pharmacy that doesn't dispense either Viagra or condoms. I think that would definitely make the papers. I actually would like to know about any not selling condoms, because I'd write to them, too.

Viagra? Quite a few men need it because of some organic dysfunction. But, many, many men who get it are older men who just can't get erections like they used to. they aren't supposed to -- they're aging. And they get it so they can feel like studs with four hour erections. I think many of the ads on TV show this angle. It's something they don't need. However, BC pills are something many women need, and have a right to! They are LEGAL MEDS!

I just wanted you to know I'm not male bashing you, and I don't think anyone else is, either. We are scared and frustrated, and we would like to give our opinions without being told we hate men, or a man has harmed us. Neither is true in my case.

Peace, Pigster!

[MountainLaurel]

49. Name one

Pharmacy that has pulled this kind of shit with any other type of medication besides BCPs or the morning-after pill.

I dare you.

[Fescue4u]

52. "Mr. A's"

A small mom and pop pharmacy in my hometown.

They wouldnt sell condoms because they were staunch catholics.

I doubt they would sell BC either, but I don't know for a fact because being a man I never tried to buy'm

That was 20 years ago, and I don't know if that pharmacy is still around, or even if Mr. Adams is still around.

Nonethless

[KittyWampus]

41. IMO, This Is Absolutely Discrimination Against Women. Pharmacists

aren't garbage collectors as someone in the article points out...

of course, that comment came from a pharmacist who wanted to deny filling Rx's according to his own arbitrarily defined moral system.

Drugs are controlled by state and federal laws. You need a license to dispense them.

Since women can't go out and get these things any other place than a pharmacy... then the pharmacy has an obligation to accommodate them.

Refusal to fill doctor prescribed meds for women is discriminatin against women.

Just like refusal to prescribe meds for ANY group for ANY reason is discrimination.

Just because these fools have a cobbled together version of some belief system to rationalize their decision to discriminate doesn't give them the right to do so in a public business that requires a license to operate.

[Lars39]

43. It's what happens when rw religious folks try to change science

to fit their wants.

[tyedyeto]

44. The male enhancement drugs were originally for..

men who have had surgeries (prostrate) or are taking other medicines which inhibit erections, both valid medical conditions. Most of these men are older and although some may have 'fertile' sperm, many are older men who are no longer trying to have children.

That said, I don't believe birth control is in the same category as male enhancement.

Pharmacies are an industry that dispenses medications that a physician prescribes. It is not there responsibility to practice medicine, which is what they are doing by ignoring a physician's medical order. If they can't or won't fill ANY prescription that a Doctor prescribes, they are in the wrong business.

[SemperEadem]

32. Walmart dispenses Viagra without any problems to men

I saw it with my own eyes yesterday.

[Trillo]

25. Bypass the pharmacy, make it available OTC.

That'll fix the pharmacists' command and control paradigm.

[Mandate My Ass]

27. The FDA voted overwhelmingly in favor of that

in 2003 but Bush's fundie nominee, Lester Crawford, has been blocking it ever since. This is the same guy who recommends prayer for menstrual cramps.

[LostinVA]

53. I absolutely agree BC should be OTC

My mother and sister are nurses, and they say all of the doctors they work for think so, too. AND, one of them is a really, really super-duper devout Catholic. However, he doesn't believe he has a right to thrust his beliefs onto anyone, especially in his role as a doctor.

[Lars39]

34. The 'morning after pill' does not cause abortions!

It doesn't allow implantation. The pharmacists that don't want
to stock the 'morning after pill' are basically trying to change the definition of conception to further their religious agenda.
They should know the proper definition of conception;they had to take Anatomy/Physiology in college.

[Fescue4u]

51. Make for a good semantic argument

But its just that.

Im still pro choice.

Women have the right to choose an abortion
Medical providers have the right to choose not to provide things-that-are-very-similiar-to-an-abortion-but-are-not-but-has-the-same-result-anyway

[Lars39]

54. It's not semantics if they ARE able to get out of doing their job

by misrepresenting scientific and legal definitions of conception.
I'm just waiting for the legislation where they redefine conception,
in the same way they made up the bogus partial birth abortion.

[cmd]

6. I'm calling my pharmacy today

If they are part of this, my business at that pharmacy, and the grocery store it is in, will end. I'm long past the child bearing age, but not past the boycotting one.

[LostinVA]

10. That's EXACTLY what I did

My partner and I had all of our scripts filled at CVS, and in addition, would do quite a bit of toiletry shopping there, too. I wrote an email to CVS after one of their pharmacist refused to fill a BC script, and got some semi-Freeper, mealy-mouthed reply back. I told them I was no longer doing ANY business with them. All of our scripts were moved to another pharmacy, and toiletries are bought someplace else, even if we have to pay a little more for them.

BTW, I don't use BC pills for any reason, but we need solidarity here, folks. This IS an organized ASSAULT against women.

[leftchick]

17. CVS?

I do all of my Prescription business at our local CVS. I will email the corporate headquarters to get their view on this. I would bet you had a freeper Pharmacist who made an arbitrary decision.

[LostinVA]

18. CVS in Charlottesville, VA

I would love to hear their response, Leftchick. You can PM me or post here. Thanks! (This was about a year ago)

[cmd]

50. Talked with the pharmacist

The only way she would not fill a script was if she didn't have that brand in stock. The store's policy is to fill as ordered. This store is part of the Ohio Buehler's chain.

[OzarkDem]

9. Utterly ridiculous

and socially regressive. When was the last time birth control products were banned, anyway?

[Dogmudgeon]

12. Howza 'bout this?

Pick one pharmacy in your area that pulls this crap.

Organize and picket the place. Make the point especially strongly that many women take birth control pills for reasons unrelated to contraception. And besides, what right do the New Pharisees have to control your life?

On a community level, we could also publish lists of pharmacies that refuse to fill prescription on the basis of "conscience". Such a list need not be a blacklist, simply a list of places not to waste time using. Another list could tally the pharmacies that will honor all prescriptions.

Has anyone even tried this yet?

--p!

[Ilsa]

23. The "New Pharisees" --- I love it.

Thanks, I'll be using that one. Those are excellent proactive ideas.

[Mend]

14. Ordinary birth control pills can be used as morning-after pills

women need to know this, how much to take, and to help a friend out in an emergency. A network of women helping women, using on-line pharmacies, educating each other, will help. Women should stock up on morning-after pills if necessary. If we can't count on pharmacies, we have to count on ourselves.

[Solly Mack]

15. That's quite true

http://www.fwhc.org/birth-control/ecinfo.htm

I said the same thing a few years ago here on DU. I keep the info handy. We must be prepared to help ourselves and other women.

If our government makes laws without considering our needs, then we need to consider our needs no matter what the law says....I may consent to be governed...I'll never consent to being controled.

[HockeyMom]

21. True

I could not take estrogen in the combination birth control pill so my Doctor put me on the so called mini pill (progestin only). This is basically just a lower dosage of the Morning After Pill. One time when I was late my doctor told me to just double up on the pill. I later found out that these pills must be taken at the same hour of the day each day to be effective.

Women really need to talk to their physicians and get as much information as they possibly can.

[fasttense]

16. What a perfect opportunity to start selling birth control

pills and the morning after pill in the underground economy. A smart drug dealer could start stocking up on these pills and have a nice business without too much risk. Sounds like we are creating a large organized crime opportunity. Reminds me of prohibition.

[LizW]

19. Everyone should read the information here:

http://www.emergencybirthcontrol.org/

This is information we all need to know, whether we are at risk of an unwanted pregnancy or not. We need to share this information with each other so we can help each other in case of an emergency.

Women and enlightened men need to stand together against this crap.

[coffeenap]

42. Thank you for this link. I will distribute it to everyone I know--

my son is 15 and daughter is 10. Every mom and dad I know will receive this link. Many,many, thanks.

[Voltaire99]

20. More proof of why Howard Dean is nuts

This shows where accommodating religious extremists will get you. There can be no surrender on reproductive freedoms.

Don't shop at any pharmacy that imposes this restriction--take your business to a secular pharmacy, rather than a Taliban one.

[Larkspur]

22. Can birth control be sold over the Internet?

Maybe it's time to find feasible alternatives to Reichwing pharmacists and drive pharamcies, who hire them, to go out of business via capitalism. The Internet could be one way, if it is not done already. If there are online pharmacies who can mail birth control, then public libraries, who have Internet access, can be used by the poor. Also doctor's offices could stock up on birth control to sell to their clients or offer an in-office computer to order medications, including birth control, thus taking more business away from pharmacists.

Just a thought.

[Trillo]

24. It's time to get pharmacists OUT of the drug dispensing business. nt

[indepat]

26. Swift revocation of license for any pharmacist refusing to fill a lawful

prescription is my prescription for fixing this problem.

[GOPFighter]

28. This just pisses me off!

If this movement keeps growing, we've got to come up with an elegant, media-attractive solution that will hurt them economically. Hurt them BAD.

[Walt Starr]

29. IF you feel you cannot fill prescriptions, DON'T BE A PHARMACIST!!!!

They should lose their DEA lcienses if they refuse to fill a prescription.

[jukes]

30. pharmacists have an ethical & professional

obligation to fill prescriptions written by licensed physicians. they are NOT doctors & have no right to make decisions for physicians, nor do they have the training & knowledge to make these informed decisions.

they shd be required to stock these emergency meds, y DAMN their rights to be fundy assholes 2nd guessing doctors. they've taken oaths to provide for the community, and shd be required to fulfill these obligations. these oaths & the public need over-ride their rights as business-owners.

if they can't fulfill their community obligations, perhaps they shd pump gas & sell cigarettes.

[Cats Against Frist]

31. Maybe Frank Watson would like to discuss his son's coke addiction

Or the barbed-wire cut-up hands on his daughter, one sunny morning on my bus route, from her whoring it up at a road party, until a local cop attempted to bust her, and she bolted across a field and got tangled up in a barbed-wire fence.

"Focus on your own damn family, indeed."

I'm from Greenville, IL -- and the Watson family is but one of a number of fake Christian hypocrites that populate that shithole. It's also a DRY town, if you can fathom that. Apparently, Jesus doesn't approve of liquor, but he's OK with a Convertible for every curlered up June Cleaver, as well as making sure no more black people move from East St. Louis into the county.

I left for college -- one of about THREE people who actually left the town -- in 1992, and I've never looked back. I visit, from time to time, and attempt to explain what "critical theory" is to people whose self-esteem is so low that they have to laugh and ask me if I "know how to change a lightbulb."

[Mizmoon]

33. ROTFLMAO

These people are such a joke. I'm actually enjoying this. Yes, birth control makes women the devil's plaything! Morning after pills are an abomination! In fact, all medical care is WITCHCRAFT!!!

harharhar ...

[colonel odis]

35. can you imagine how quickly an employee would be fired if s/he refused

to sell cigarettes? or in a bookstore refused to sell a sean hannity or ann coulter book?

states need to put stand up and yank these guys' licenses if they have a problem fulfilling prescriptions doctors write.

[mikelgb]

36. as they say...

let the market work it out. If they refuse to stock a product and another pharmacy comes along and stocks it and consumers want it ...bye bye rights conscience store. But... they cant possible think the moring after pill is an abortion, can they?

[bunkerbuster1]

37. RU kidding me? Of course they think it's an abortion!

these nutters think fertilized eggs is BAYBEEZ!

[Norquist Nemesis]

38. Yes, they can and do think that.

Anything that does not allow conception is an abortion for them.

In the not too distant future, heterosexual couples will be trained in the rhythm method and have to videotape themselves in their bedrooms demontrating copulation according to Rev. Moon's teachings. Of course, tax break incentives will be closely tied to the documentation.

[HockeyMom]

39. They think ALL birth control pills are abortion

[ugarte]

45. A few good lawsuits will put a stop to this

The only thing they understand is $$$. A few big judgments against these drug chains will get their attention.

[halobeam]

46. Someone pinch me... what the hell year is this???

This is like the days I read about and responded by saying "those poor women", I'd never last if I were in those times. So, okay, we are not back to ground zero, but we are heading BACK THERE.

I mentioned to my folks I'd like to live in another country. LOL.. I do, and I didn't even move.

This is more than appalling, more than the latest best seller psycho-thriller, more than anything I can sit back on and not do anything about. I'm not an "ultra- feminist" nor a man-hater, or even a person who likes confrontation. I'd like to be in peace. MY IDEA OF PEACE. But if I/others don't rise up and take a stand on our rights to OUR choice then we will be back at ground zero and handing it over quite SADLY... TO OUR CHILDREN.

[Bunny]

47. I posted this in another thread last night:

A co-worker recently had to take a drug in order to induce a
miscarriage. She was carrying a blighted ovum. This is the second time this has happened to her. The first time, they did a D&C to remove the tissue. This time, the doctor wanted her to have a miscarriage, to try to reduce scar tissue, thus preserving what fertility she may have. She did not miscarry naturally, so she was prescribed something. She took the medicine, and it did not work. Three days later she had to take it again. That time it did work.

She lives in a VERY conservative community. I wondered if she'd get any sort of hassle getting the prescriptions filled. It doesn't appear that she did.

But why should a pharmacist have any business denying her the prescription? She was not carrying a human embryo, just some tissue that was never going to develop into anything. In an emotionally devastating time like this, the last thing she'd need is some self-righteous ass trying to impose his or her "morals", without having any idea of the circumstances.

[MountainLaurel]

48. "After-sex" pill?!

Try after-RAPE pill you misogynist motherfuckers! In at least a couple of the cases where the pharmacist took the prescription and refused to fill it, the women in question had been raped, and was in dire need of that prescription.

I fucking hate what this country is becoming.

:nuke:

[ovidsen]

55. Aspiring to be Sudan

where women/girls are raped by the Janjaweed, then convicted of the crime of adultery when they become pregnant because they obviously had sex outside of marriage.

But that couldn't happen here! (s/o)