Proposed Pharmacy Bill by Idaho House Committee Targets Moral Issues

(KPVI, Idaho. By: Tammy Scardino) The state of Idaho is now one step closer to passing legislation that would put into writing an unspoken understanding that pharmacists have the right to refuse filling a prescription. What makes this a hot topic is the specific type of medication that gets denied.

It really comes down to a difference in people’s moral opinion about the “Morning After Pill”, also called the “Plan B” pill.

The same type of person that would be against the now over-the-counter medication might also not believe in dispensing any form of birth control, if say for instance they were Catholic.

If you think there isn’t a demand for what some people view as the abortion pill, you’re wrong. At least one local pharmacy in town doles out “Plan B” five to six times a week according to an employee who didn’t want their name to be mentioned.

Doctorate professors at Idaho State University say bill passage or not, they’ve always had the right to refuse. Some believe that’s simply not the issue at hand.

Dr. Christopher Owens, Department Chair of Pharmacy Practice: “The way you go about refusing is most important and you can object but you cannot obstruct medical care.”

Owens says they equip students with the knowledge to handle all situations professionally, whether or not they agree with the patient’s moral ethics. The students in Pocatello are taught to not persuade or bully if they disagree and to find someone else to fill their prescription in a timely manner.

Dr. Christopher Owens, Department Chair of Pharmacy Practice: “If you do have these deeply held conviction about this, then maybe you should not take a job at this pharmacy or that pharmacy, I mean they can practice in how many different settings.”

Supporters of the bill say the intent is to guarantee their right to refuse and protect pharmacists from being fired. Something that seems to be unheard of around here.

Dr. Cathy Heyneman, Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice: “I’ve never heard of a pharmacist being disciplined for not dispersing a medication.”

Student Daren Kunz says he’s never felt any pressure by his pharmacy employer but still thinks it’s a good idea to put the unspoken understanding in writing.

Daren Kunz, Third Year Pharmacy Student: “I’m in favor based on the fact we are professionals not just monkeys filling prescriptions. We should be allowed to make clinical judgements. We already do on a daily basis.”

A House Committee passed the bill Wednesday. It now heads to the house for a full vote.

Only four other states have passed similar legislation.

You do have to be 18 to buy the Plan B pill.