Would it be ok for a veg*n pharmacist to deny filling a 'scrip because the meds were tested on animals?

Question

or if the meds contained animal by products because he/she felt the meds were immoral?
What prompted this question, you may wonder? Well, groups in Wash. state are stating that the new law requiring pharmacies to sell Plan B is wrong, and the ones that don't want to carry Plan B say it is against their morals/religion. I am just wondering what people think of this and other things that could cause a pharmacist to deny medications, and if the pharmacists should have a right to allow their morals to interfere with their job. In all honesty, I just don't get why someone with moral/religious objections to medical procedures or medicines would even go into the medical field as a doctor or a pharmacist, but that's just me(if you can't tell, I think that a pharmacist or a doctor shouldn't be allowed to let their morals/religion interfere with the job they chose to go into knowing they would be faced with things that go against their morals/religion, they have an obligation, IMHO).

Misty, I know that the disagreements that have to do with Plan B aren't about whether it was tested on animals or not, I was just using animal testing/animal by products as another example of a set of morals that could cause a pharmacist to deny selling meds, and was wondering what everyone else felt about a pharmacist using their morals/religion as an excuse for not doing their jobs, or trying to use their job as a platform for forcing their morals/religion on others.

I would like to thank everyone for their very well thought out and non-confrontation answers so far. Makes me have faith in the users of this forum again:D

RU-486 is the "baby killing pill". Plan B prevents the egg from being released, fertilized or implanted, none of which is killing anything.

Answer 1

No, because no body should force their beliefs on anyone. But if they feel it is appropriate to let the customer know then it may be OK. But if the customer is really that interested they may bring up the subject themselves.

I consider myself to be a very moral person - but I wouldn't think of imposing my beliefs on others unless they wanted to know what I believe. Other than that beliefs are private and should be respected.

Answer 2

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What about in areas where it isn't feasible to get the meds in the time they are needed? What about the areas that have a limited amount of pharmacies? What would happen if you were in an area that is predominately one group and they have pharmacists in all the pharmacies and ALL the pharmacies in that area won't fill the prescription?

Have you ever lived in a small town that had only one pharmacy? I think if you had, you wouldn't have made that statement. Not everyone is blessed enough to live in an area where many choices are available.

Morals are nice to have, and it is great to stand by your morals, but if your practicing of your morals interferes with my quality of life, SHOVE IT!!!! YOU(not you specifically, this is a general you) may not like Plan B or medicines being tested on animals or made with animal parts, but that doesn't give you the right to deny someone something that was prescribed to them by a doctor just because you feel it is immoral.

Answer 3

As a pharmacist, I can assure you that no one has taken the time to find out just which medications were tested on animals. There are thousands of drugs and finding the information would take a lifetime. There is no law saying I have to fill a prescription for anyone as long as I do not base my decision on race, religion or such factors. It is against the law to intentionally fill a prescription incorrectly. I can be prosecuted and loose my license. As far as Plan-B goes, it is up to the pharmacist to decide whether or not to sell it in accordance with state laws such as age requirements. As with their morals interfering with their job, it is done every day by all medical professionals. I refuse to fill narcotic prescriptions for patients I know are abusing them. I refuse to knowingly contribute to the drug problem by selling syringes to those not needing them for a legitimate reason.

Answer 4

If a pharmacist is interested in only providing medications that do not include animal by-products, they may have a difficult time since many helpful prescriptions contain them. For instance, Premarin is a drug made up of conjugated estrogens obtained from the urine of pregnant mares -- put out in many forms (pills, creams, injections, patches, vaginal rings) and is used to reduce the symptoms of menopause in women or women who have had a hysterectomy. It is also prescribed to nearly eliminate the risk of osteoporosis (the brittling of bones) and reduce the chance of heart disease in women over 50. Millions of women in the US take this prescription. It would not benefit a pharmacist to deny a much needed medication to these women. Most likely pharmacist, like doctors, take an oath to practice. If they no longer feel obligated to recognize this oath, it is time they sought another field in which to work.

Answer 5

Just for the record, it is not the morning after baby killing pill, plan b prevents implantation. That's all.

I think that it is wrong on all levels to deny someone a drug just because *YOU* think it's wrong. I'm vegetarian, but I don't force everyone around me to eat the way I eat.

I personally think it's horrible that a bunch of old white guys on a hill feel like it's their god given right to tell women what we can and can't do with our bodies.

Answer 6

Well as of now, ALL prescription medications are tested on animals and a most contain animal byproducts. Plan B is probably against people's morals/religions because they feel that that is killing a potential child. The disagreements about Plan B probably does not have anything to do with animal rights.

Answer 7

I have very similar beliefs to yours.
Here is my take. If the program is a government program and the Pharmacists wants to be on board with it then they should have no choice. On the other hand if the law does not require them to participate in the program then I think they have a choice to carry what they want. But boy that really begins to narrow the customer base down.

What next will they not allow a meat eating person to work for them? Should a meat eating Pharmacits not hire a veg./vegan?

People need to chill out.

Answer 8

Wow, that seems really stupid that a pharmacy wouldn't want to sell a certain drug just because they didn't think it suited their moral standards. I completely agree with you that anyone in the medical field shouldn't let their moral/religious beliefs interfere with their job. I'm a vegan and going in to the medical field and I know that I would never let my choice to be vegan get in the way of my job. That would just stupid and selfish on my part, not to mention highly unprofessional.

Answer 9

Yes, because there are many pharmacists and pharmacies available for consumers to choose from so if the person wants the perscription they would still be able to get it from someone.

It would be wrong, however, to fill a perscription and not place the correct medications in the bottle due to beliefs. The pharmasict/pharmacy has a moral obligation to be upfront about their practice and services.

Answer 10

It's not all about MORALS some people just dont like meat and know its not a healthy choice ..like me I could care less if you eat sausages till your colon drops out ..its not my concern what other people do. Being a veg doesnt nessecerily mean you have bambi syndrom..animal testing has nothing to do with eatting healthy