So now religion = a medical degree, is that it?

[lunadelcorvo]

Idaho pharmacist denies anti-bleeding med because woman MIGHT have had an abortion

A pharmacist at a Nampa, Idaho, Walgreens refused to dispense medication that stops uterine bleeding because she suspected the woman may have had an abortion. The pharmacist invoked the state's new so-called conscience clause that allows pharmacists to refuse to fill prescriptions for emergency contraceptives and abortifacient drugs, among other things, if they have a personal problem with it.

Last November, a woman took her prescription for Methergine, a drug that stops uterine bleeding regardless of cause, to Walgreens. The pharmacist, suspicious that the woman's uncontrolled bleeding may have been the result of an abortion, called the nurse practitioner who wrote the prescription to inquire why the patient needed it. When the nurse refused to answer because to do so would violate the patient's confidentiality, the pharmacist hung up on her and refused to fill the prescription.

OK, I have serious issues with the so-called 'conscience clause' to begin with. But when we end up with pharmacists (freakin pharmacists!) thinking they have the right to decide whether to dispense medications that have no abortifacent attributes to them at all, because they *think* they *might* be used to treat the *after-effects* of a *possible* abortion? Seriously??? Not to mention, "uncontrolled bleeding" is simply not something ANY kind of medical professional should have the right to choose not to address! What part of "uncontrolled bleeding" = "life threatening" do these kinds of people not get?

I have not been able to find out if the pharmacist in question was disciplined, fired, or (better yet) had their license revoked, and I'll update if I do. Meanwhile, I suggest contacting your local Walgreens, or the Walgreens HQ and letting them know that you don't accept this kind of life endangering B.S. Here's the info:


Idaho State Board of Pharmacy
3380 Americana Terrace, Suite 320
Boise, ID 83706
Phone (208) 334-2356
FAX (208) 334-3536
...................

Walgreens
1-877-250-5823
200 Wilmot Road
Deerfield, IL 60015

Comments

[witchdollie.livejournal.com]

If that poor woman bled to death, and I was a lawyer, I would try to get her for negligent homicide. That's just bull-shit.

[cyranothe2nd.livejournal.com]

Saw this on ONTD. Made me sick then and makes me sick now. Fucking fascists.

[primitivepeople.livejournal.com]

In the UK, doctors can refuse to be involved in abortions on conscience grounds, but that's it, and I don't think it's ever prohibited anyone from having one - they just find someone else to do it for the women concerned.

The stories I've heard about pharmacists refusing drugs on religious grounds is horrific, though. Surely they have absolutely no right whatsoever to argue with a doctor's decision to prescribe? It's absolutely insane.

I don't know how much weight a British person's protest would have, but I'd be tempted to write letters...

[lucretiasheart.livejournal.com]

I guess "right to life" doesn't include "fallen women"--! *face palm*

Thanks for info.