Pharmacists Refusing to Fill Prescriptions for Plan B® and Other Contraceptives
Alarmingly, some pharmacists are refusing to fill prescriptions for emergency contraception and other birth control pills when presented with a lawful prescription from a woman's doctor. They claim that filling the prescription is in conflict with their personal, moral beliefs. It is outrageous for health care professionals, having accepted the responsibility of helping patients, to put their personal beliefs ahead of the health care needs of patients they are meant to serve.
Birth control is basic health care. Restricting access to it is not only an act of discrimination, but can lead to more unintended pregnancies. It's time to demand that women get their prescriptions filled without discrimination or delay.
Concerned women and men refuse to stand by as renegade pharmacists hold women and the health care system hostage. In states around the country people are taking action to stop this discriminatory practice.
Emergency contraception is just that, contraception, just like "the pill." Emergency contraception is not an abortion. Opponents of women's reproductive health access continue to disseminate misinformation on this point.
Emergency contraception helps prevent pregnancy; medication abortion terminates pregnancy. According to standard medical definitions, pregnancy begins when a pre-embryo completes implantation into the lining of the uterus. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the United States Department of Health and Human Services, (ACOG, 1998; DHHS, 1978; Hughes, 1972; "Make the Distinction?" 2001) endorse this definition. Hormonal methods of contraception, including emergency contraception pills, prevent pregnancy by inhibiting ovulation and fertilization (ACOG, 1998). Medication abortion terminates a pregnancy without surgery.
By helping women to prevent unplanned pregnancies after unprotected intercourse, emergency contraception has the great potential to decrease the rate of abortion.
Where to Get Emergency Contraception
Emergency contraception (EC), also known as the "morning-after pill," is available at Planned Parenthood health centers. It is also available at college, public, and women's health centers; from private doctors; and in hospital emergency rooms � unless they are affiliated with religions that oppose the use of birth control.
Use our map to find the Planned Parenthood nearest you. Or call us toll-free at 1-800-230-PLAN (1-800-230-7526). Many Planned Parenthood health centers have weekend and evening hours. Please check with them for hours of operation.
In some states you may be able to request EC online. Planned Parenthood is one of the online providers in these states.
Planned Parenthood affiliate health centers provide culturally competent, high quality, affordable health care to millions of diverse women, men, and teens every year. Planned Parenthood welcomes everyone — regardless of race, age, disability, sexual orientation, or income.
Additional Resources
Latest Threats: Access to Emergency Contraception
Additional Resources - Pharmacist Refusals
Emergency Contraception - Resources
Emergency Contraception - The Basics
Birth control is basic health care. Restricting access to it is not only an act of discrimination, but can lead to more unintended pregnancies. It's time to demand that women get their prescriptions filled without discrimination or delay.
Concerned women and men refuse to stand by as renegade pharmacists hold women and the health care system hostage. In states around the country people are taking action to stop this discriminatory practice.
- A Kmart pharmacist in Wisconsin refused to fill and transfer a birth control prescription because he "did not want to commit a sin." The pharmacist was disciplined by the Wisconsin Pharmacy Board, required to attend ethics training and
had to pay $20,000 in court costs for his unprofessional conduct. - In June of 2004, nine Alabama State Health Department nurses quit their jobs rather than distribute EC to patients. In response to their decision, the department's chief of family planning stated that while he respected the nurses' right to their beliefs, he also had "an obligation to provide services to our clients. It's not appropriate...to dictate public policy based on personal beliefs" (Johnson, 2004).
- The Pharmacy Boards in North Carolina and Massachusetts have issued position statements that pharmacists must put the patients' needs first. The North Carolina statement says that it is unacceptable for pharmacists to impose their moral or ethical beliefs on the patients they serve.
- At an Eckerd's pharmacy in Texas, a pharmacist refused to dispense EC to a sexual assault victim on the grounds that it "violated his morals." The other pharmacists on duty also refused to fill the prescription. All three Eckerd's pharmacists were fired for violating the patient's rights (Austin, 2004; Brown, 2004; Londono, 2004).
- In April of 2005, Illinois' governor, Rod Blagojovich filed an emergency rule requiring pharmacies that sell contraceptives to fill prescriptions for birth control without delay. The governor took this action after pharmacists in the area had refused to fill prescriptions for contraception. It puts patients' healthcare needs before pharmacist's personal beliefs.
Emergency contraception is just that, contraception, just like "the pill." Emergency contraception is not an abortion. Opponents of women's reproductive health access continue to disseminate misinformation on this point.
Emergency contraception helps prevent pregnancy; medication abortion terminates pregnancy. According to standard medical definitions, pregnancy begins when a pre-embryo completes implantation into the lining of the uterus. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the United States Department of Health and Human Services, (ACOG, 1998; DHHS, 1978; Hughes, 1972; "Make the Distinction?" 2001) endorse this definition. Hormonal methods of contraception, including emergency contraception pills, prevent pregnancy by inhibiting ovulation and fertilization (ACOG, 1998). Medication abortion terminates a pregnancy without surgery.
By helping women to prevent unplanned pregnancies after unprotected intercourse, emergency contraception has the great potential to decrease the rate of abortion.
Where to Get Emergency Contraception
Emergency contraception (EC), also known as the "morning-after pill," is available at Planned Parenthood health centers. It is also available at college, public, and women's health centers; from private doctors; and in hospital emergency rooms � unless they are affiliated with religions that oppose the use of birth control.
Use our map to find the Planned Parenthood nearest you. Or call us toll-free at 1-800-230-PLAN (1-800-230-7526). Many Planned Parenthood health centers have weekend and evening hours. Please check with them for hours of operation.
In some states you may be able to request EC online. Planned Parenthood is one of the online providers in these states.
Planned Parenthood affiliate health centers provide culturally competent, high quality, affordable health care to millions of diverse women, men, and teens every year. Planned Parenthood welcomes everyone — regardless of race, age, disability, sexual orientation, or income.
Additional Resources
Latest Threats: Access to Emergency Contraception
Additional Resources - Pharmacist Refusals
Emergency Contraception - Resources
Emergency Contraception - The Basics
