Hyerdahl wrote:
> Updated: 09:08 AM EST
> Illinois Druggists Must Dispense Birth Control
> By MAURA KELLY LANNAN, AP
>
> CHICAGO (April 2) - Gov. Rod Blagojevich approved an emergency rule
> Friday requiring pharmacies to fill birth control prescriptions
quickly
> after a Chicago pharmacist refused to fill an order because of moral
> opposition to the drug.
>
> The emergency rule takes effect immediately for 150 days while the
> administration seeks a permanent rule.
>
> "Our regulation says that if a woman goes to a pharmacy with a
> prescription for birth control, the pharmacy or the pharmacist is not
> allowed to discriminate or to choose who he sells it to,''
Blagojevich
> said. "No delays. No hassles. No lectures.''
>
> Under the new rule, if a pharmacist does not fill the prescription
> because of a moral objection, another pharmacist must be available to
> fill it without delay.
>
> The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation has
> also filed a formal complaint against the Chicago Osco pharmacy for
the
> Feb. 23 incident.
>
> The pharmacy was cited for "failing to provide appropriate
> pharmaceutical care to a patient.'' Penalties could include a fine,
> reprimand or revocation of the pharmacy's license.
>
> An Osco spokeswoman did not immediately return a call Friday.
>
> Steve Trombley, CEO for Planned Parenthood in Chicago, praised the
> state's efforts.
>
> "When medical professionals write prescriptions for their patients,
> they are acting in their patients' best interests,'' Trombley said.
"A
> pharmacist's personal views cannot intrude on the relationship
between
> a woman and her doctor.''
>
> The Chicago pharmacist was not the first to attract attention for
> refusing to fill a birth control prescription.
>
> In February, a judge recommended that a Roman Catholic pharmacist in
> Wisconsin be reprimanded and required to attend ethics classes after
> the pharmacist blocked a woman's attempt to fill a prescription for
> birth control pills in 2002.

Well, Hy, here's something for you to mark in your calendar--I agree
with the governor and with Trombley, so apparently, I agree with you.
It's not the pharmacist's decision as to whether or not to fill a
lawful prescription.  If he objects that strongly, I'd recommend a
career change.



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