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Plan B OTC bill awaiting Calif. governor's signature

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Oct. 3, 2005

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A bill forcing California pharmacists to fill all legal prescriptions unless they have voiced objections to their employers in writing landed on Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's desk.

The bill, which passed with sizeable majorities in the Democratic-controlled Legislature, allows pharmacists who believe the emergency contraceptive pill marketed as Plan B is a form of abortion to refuse to fill a prescription. The pharmacist would need to inform his or her employer in writing about his or her belief, and the pharmacy would be legally obligated to fill the prescription or refer the patient to another pharmacy.

Schwarzenegger, who at press time had not announced his position on the bill, has until Oct. 9 to decide whether he'll sign the measure. If he takes no action by that date, it becomes law.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2005/10/03/prbf1003.htm.

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