NJ Law on conscientious objection
November 3, 2007
New Jersey pharmacies must now fill prescriptions for any drug they stock or locate another nearby pharmacy that carries the drug regardless of any religious and philosophical beliefs held by their employees.
The new law signed Friday by Gov. Jon S. Corzine is largely designed to ensure women retain access to birth-control pills and emergency contraception.
Corzine signed the bill just days after Pope Benedict XVI said pharmacists have a right to use conscientious objection to avoid dispensing emergency contraception or euthanasia drugs.
The American Pharmacists Association, the nation’s largest association of pharmacists, supports legislation similar to New Jersey’s that requires individual pharmacists or pharmacy chains to fill prescriptions or provide immediate referral to another pharmacy.
The New Jersey law was opposed by abortion opponents.
According to the National Women’s Law Center, New Jersey becomes the 12th state with a law requiring pharmacies to either dispense a drug or refer customers elsewhere.
Four states [Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi and South Dakota] permit pharmacists to refuse to dispense a prescription.
[Via Tom Hester Jr., AP; Newsday.com]
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