She was prescribed the morning-after pill, the muslim pharmacist at lloyds refused on the grounds it went against his beliefs. Lloyds apologised to the woman but also stated that the pharmacist was within his rights to refuse. Is he in the wrong job?
2006-10-15 08:46:06 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in News & Events ➔ Other - News & Events
Firstly, a medical professional authorised the prescription, so that person is neglecting that person aswell as the customer.
Its a fact of life (and it doesn't matter if we agree with it or not) that we live in a society that provides morning after pill, condoms, antibiotics for stds, abortions etc etc. In some form or fashion this goes against all the religious orders so I'm not accepting that this is only a muslim issue but it appears that muslims will put their own beliefs in front of others regardless. This person is working in a customer service environment but cannot accomodate many of his customers.
I'm tired of all this accomodation for religion, lets get back to the basics. Do not work in an environment that causes issues for your religion and discomfort to others!
If I go to a chemist with a prescription, I do not want judgement/refusal but good customer service, speedy transaction and advice if needed.
I'm not racist but I'm sick of religious beliefs being pushed down our throats and I don't want to live in a muslim state either.
It has taken years for women to have independence and control over their own bodies, its not acceptable in my opinion that somebody should refuse to accept a prescription!
Finally, I think Lloyds should think seriously about this situation!
2006-10-16 00:15:48 · answer #1 · answered by Debbie Mc 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes, the pharmacist was within his rights. The law was based on the fact that it within a pharmacist legal rights if there are OTHER places where the medication can be acquired. and the denial will not cause death to the patient..
The store will apologize for the "inconvenience" to the woman, I have heard of pharmacists from other christian religions do the same. The woman can also come back when that particular pharmacist is not on duty, but there is no guarrantee that the next one will be a catholic.
The best thing to do is ask the pharmacist, where are the other pharmacies in this area and buy her priscription from those places.
This policy is recent ( last 8 yrs or so) , and the public backlash is being acknowledged and recorded. Tell your friend to write the Pharmacy Association so her complaint will get noted..
2006-10-15 09:04:50 · answer #2 · answered by QuiteNewHere 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The guy is an idiot, and the store that backed him up only did it to avoid trouble. Probably thinking she would be too embarrassed to publicly report them. His job isn't to read your prescription and tell you whether is conforms to his beliefs, it's to fill prescription given to a patient by their doctor. Unless he has some medical reason (it would interact negatively with some other drug the patient was taking) he could be reported to his state licensing board. It's the same as someone not selling cigarettes, or booze because they don't believe in their use (like a Jehovah's Witness).
2006-10-15 08:58:40 · answer #3 · answered by IAINTELLEN 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm fairly shocked to hear about this occurring in the UK. In the US, legislation is such that the ethics or beliefs of a pharmacist or doctor can take precedent over the needs of a patient, particularly with regards to contraception and abortion provision. However, like all medication, it is up to each pharmaceutical business whether it sells the specific product or not. The UK government has deliberately not clarified legislation on the provision of PCP (post-coital pill), allowing businesses and individuals to give any reason they wish for refusing to stock or sell the pill. This stems from a persistent misogyny and prudism that exists in all three Abrahamic religions -- in the US, many Christian organisations recommend that their members do not sell PCP.
2006-10-15 08:58:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes he is in the wrong job as for all he knew, It could have been detrimental to this woman's health / life for her to continue a pregnancy.
Doctors take the Hippocratic oath to preserve life..A doctor has prescribed this tablet for what ever reason. It is not the pharmacists job to be judgemental.
He should remember he is living in a Western society where Western women have greater rights to decide and think for themselves.
If in his job he will come across a free thinking Western woman who's beliefs are different to his and that they may offend him...Then he should find another job.
2006-10-15 09:24:18 · answer #5 · answered by audrey_o 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I used to work for Lloyds pharmacy, and they are perfectly within their rights to refuse, though I totally disagree with it.
I work in another pharmacy now, and we are near a university, we get loads of women students coming in for the morning after pill, though I find it hard to believe these so called intelligent students are not on the regular pill!!!
I dont think a pharmacist should let personal beliefs get in the way, he is there to do a job, and provide these services, not judge people.
How would it be if a pharmacist judged people because they were HIV positive, or something similar?
I know that pharmacists ive worked with have not been happy about giving out the morning after pill, especially to young girls of 13 and 14, but we have to do it, thats what we are there for.
The pharmacist I worked with today is Catholic, but he bit his lip and handed out 8 lots of it this morning (students have had some heavy shagging going on this weekend!!). He complained to me in private, but realised that its his job to proide it.
I dont think they should be allowed to refuse any service due to moral or religious beliefs.
2006-10-15 09:00:58 · answer #6 · answered by lozzielaws 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The pharmacist was within his rights to refuse her the pill.Its also the case that any christian , jewish or any other religion pharmacist would also be within thier rights to refuse to serve her.The fact that you or i think they are immoral to act in such a way does not count.I think that Lloyds should provide an alternative pharmacist in such cases.Or,at the very least,provide details of an alternative pharmacy where she could be given the drug.
As for being in the wrong job? I would agree but that ruling would have to apply across the board.
2006-10-15 09:06:42 · answer #7 · answered by greyfoxx 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most definetly. He has under taken a profession that is supply health care to those that need/request it. If its against his beliefs, what about the contraceptive pill, does he refuse to supply that as well.
He took the job here in the UK and as such, should respect others peoples beliefs, after all, we are forced to accept theirs, if we don't we are called racist! All we have to do is remember "There always be an England".....unfortuantely it may not be run by the English.
2006-10-15 09:04:14 · answer #8 · answered by Jake159 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I thought it was patient/customer before ones own beliefs. If that pharmacist couldnt or wouldnt prescribe then he should have found someone who could and quick.
I dont know about pharmacy in particular but in medicine you must be non judgemental and if you really object to something then you must carry on treating that person until someone else is available to take over from you.
2006-10-15 08:51:15 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If carrying out your job goes against your belief, then you are by definition in the wrong job. Pharmacists should accept contraception is part of their job, or not get into pharmacy in the first place.
See the following link for another (this time Catholic) example of attempts to impose morality on pharmacies:
http://www.epluribusmedia.org/features/2006/0311tom_monaghan.html
2006-10-15 09:01:05 · answer #10 · answered by kirun 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋