Profession
Pharmacists say it's OK to refuse Plan B scripts
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Jan. 16, 2006
Among 859 pharmacists surveyed, 69% said they should have the right to refuse to fill a prescription for the controversial morning-after pill marketed as Plan B, according to a poll the marketing firm HCD Research conducted in December 2005.
Pharmacists split on whether they should be required to refer the prescriptions to a pharmacist who would fill the order; 37% agreed with such a requirement and 38% disagreed. Only 22% of pharmacists agreed that state laws should require pharmacists to fill prescriptions despite personal objections. An HCD poll in July 2005 reported that 79% of physicians said pharmacists should be required to fill prescriptions for the morning-after pill.
Some health professionals believe Plan B is a form of abortion.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2006/01/16/prbf0116.htm.