Government

Bill aims to ensure moral objections don't hurt prescription drug access

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted May 2, 2005

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Recently introduced congressional legislation is designed to ensure that patients can have prescriptions filled at local pharmacies despite any moral objection a pharmacist might have to the medication.

Pharmacists would not be forced to dispense prescription contraceptives or other drugs, but if they refused, another pharmacist would have to be available to do so. The bill also would require pharmacies that stock contraceptives to order emergency contraception immediately upon request.

"A pharmacist's personal beliefs should not come between a patient and their doctor," said Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D, N.J.), sponsor of the bill in the Senate.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2005/05/02/gvbf0502.htm.

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