I said goodbye to my pharmacist last night.

[Lisa0825]

http://www.houstondemocrats.com/archives/2005/08/goodbye_walgree.html

I didn’t want to do it. It’s a convenient location, and well, he’s quite the looker! But it had to be done.

I said, “I’m afraid this is going to have to be the last prescription I pick up here.”

With a concerned look, “Oh really? Why is that?”

“Well, I found out yesterday that Walgreen’s is among those pharmacies that are allowing pharmacists to refuse to fill prescriptions for birth control pills.”

“Really? I hadn’t heard that. The last I heard was that we were supposed to fill them.”

“Well, maybe that’s a local policy, but the information I found online says otherwise. Looks like I’ll be switching to CVS.”

“Before you switch, please call the corporate office, and be sure that this is the case. I’d hate to lose a customer based on inaccurate information. I’d also like to know what the deal is. I’ll be looking into this myself.”

I have been shopping and having prescriptions filled at Walgreen’s since I was a child holding my mother’s hand down the aisle. Today I am calling my doctor to ask her to write me new prescriptions so I can switch to CVS.

I checked at http://www.FillMyPillsNow.org , and found that Walgreen’s is listed as a chain that allows pharmacists to refuse to fill prescriptions for birth control pills. CVS, a major competitor in my town demands that their pharmacists fill those orders.

I wanted to allow for the possibility that the website could be inaccurate, as well as make sure that Walgreen’s heard my disapproval, so I called their corporate office today (847-914-2500). I first talked to a media relations employee. She stated that I should be talking to consumer relations, but I told her that I felt that media relations should be aware that this information is spreading across the web by email, link, and blog. She told me that she wasn’t sure it was accurate, and would make sure someone looked into it. In the meantime, would I like to be transferred to consumer relations? Most definitely.

The nice lady at consumer relations first attempted to confuse the issue by stating that it depended on the laws of each state, and in states that require pharmacists to fill all prescriptions, Walgreen’s does require that as well. Gee, how nice that when legally required, they actually follow the law! Is that supposed to impress me?

I pressed on, and asked, “So let me get this straight then. If a state does NOT have a law requiring pharmacists to fill all prescriptions, or has a law allowing pharmacists to choose NOT to fill a prescription, Walgreen’s ALLOWS those pharmacists to refuse to fill a customer’s order?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

“Well, I would like to express my extreme disapproval of this policy. No one else’s fundamentalist religious convictions or chauvinist ideals should ever interfere with my ability to have a legal prescription filled. If the pharmacist has a problem with a product used by millions and millions of women, perhaps he or she should consider another line of work.”

“I understand. Would you like for me to take your name and phone number, and have someone call you back to discuss this further?”

“Yes, please. I’d appreciate that.”

If everyone who reads this does the same, we’ll get our message across.

[Orrex]

1. Walgreens, eh? So that's how life is in Perfect.

Those inane commercials make sense all of a suddden.

[Tigress DEM]

115. Such a bummer, Walgreens has always been a "little guy" store.

You know how you go to some places to buy stuff and they look at you like you shouldn't be walking in "their" store? I never got that at Walgreens like I did at Snyders (MN Chain).

I bet they will cave if enough people make a fuss.

[MaraJade]

121. That's why it's "Perfect". . .

Roll the clock back to the 1890's, a time before any form of birth control, when blacks, homosexuals and women KNEW THEIR PLACE!!!

[AuntiBush]

131. Excellent starter Response! Good line, Orrex!

[Isere]

2. Bravo to you!

This should be a MASS movement! I don't get my pills at Walgreens, but I do shop there for other items on occasion. Thanks to you, I think I will write them a letter and tell them why I won't be stopping by anymore.

Are you aware of any organized movement to spread this word and fight back?

[Lisa0825]

6. Planned Parenthood

They put up the site http://www.FillMyPillsNow.org , and it has a link for taking action. You can look up your pharmacy and send them an email.

[prodigal_green]

27. Whew!

My pharmacy (Eckert) is on the thumbs up list. I'm surprised that Duane Reade hasn't made their policy clear. You cannot go a block in NYC without passing one--they are a monster chain here. Considering the demographics of its customer base, you'd think they'd have huge signs in the window stating their policy.

[AuntiBush]

134. Just Placed a Banner from their Site on my Blog - DUers Can, too!

Quoting "http://www.saveroe.com/

"In an outrageous move to stop women from preventing unintended pregnancies, some pharmacists across the country have refused to fill prescriptions for emergency contraception and other birth control pills. The reason? They believe it is in conflict with their moral beliefs. Birth control is basic health care and restricting access to prescriptions is nothing short of discrimination. Don't let ideology trump sound science—join our Fill My Pills Now campaign today."

I can NOT believe we've stepped BACK-WARDS by the LESSER majority!!!!!

Someone awaken me when this nightmare is over!

[noonwitch]

14. I shop there, but get prescriptions at CVS

CVS is closer to my doctor's and dentist's offices, and never has given me any problems.

I have mixed feelings about those policies. I think both companies have the right to have their own policies, and that the customers can decide whether they want to fill prescriptions there or not. If most people have a problem with Walgreen's policy and stop getting their scrips filled there, Walgreen's will adjust their policy to respond to the lost revenue. If people support their policy, fine. I don't think it is a matter worth the time and effort of legislating. The people can speak through their choice of pharmacies.

[Pithlet]

68. I strongly disagree.

Not everyone lives in areas where they have a choice of pharmacists. For them, a pharmacist refusing to fill their prescriptions can have harmful consequences.

A pharmacist should not have the right to come between me and my doctor. If a person has a problem dispensing all legal prescriptions, then that person should not become a pharmacist. Simple enough. Allowing them to make these decisions jeopardizes women's health. And that is NOT something that should be allowed. My right to legal prescriptions should not be dependent on how my community feels about it. In short, people have a right to health care no matter what community they live in, and that includes having their legal prescriptions filled.

[tyedyeto]

112. My sentiments exactly!

I tried to say that the other day and was told by a poster that pharmacists are doctors so they can do whatever they want when dispensing medicines. I have never seen a pharmacist examine a customer in a doctor-like fashion. And the only reason they know when medications are incompatible is because their computers tell them.

Pharmacists who are refusing to fill any prescription that a doctor orders should find a new profession.

[SemperEadem]

118. the pharmacist has no direct knowledge

of the patient's medical history. They are making harmful judgements in an ignorance vaccum. If they have to call the physician to get guidance, they are told only what they need to know to dispense the right dosage of medicine to the patient. They don't get a copy of the patient's medical records sent over for review.

I would have asked that poster "if a pharmacist decided that your elderly father didn't need a certain kind of heart medication because it's interfering with God's order for his life, would that be ok with you? After all, like you said, he's a doctor, too."

[dmr]

127. That person is confused

Pharmacy students graduate with a hard earned Doctorate degree, so yes, they are doctors. This poster, however, must be confused with a Medical Doctor, though I don't know why.

Can they dispense whatever they want, as that poster suggests? Again, there is confusion. A pharmacist can and will use professional discretion if it is thought the script presents a real or potential risk to the patient. The pharmacist will clarify the script with the physician, and more often than not, recommend an alternate drug, strength, route or frequency, or not fill it at all.

In my 30+ years, I've never worked retail; but can honestly say that no pharmacist should ever refuse to fill a prescription except for two reasons: it would be harmful to the patient or suspected diversion - and those two issues can be easily remedied with a call to the prescriber.

Pharmacists are in a unique position. Because they are dispensing under their own license, their employer cannot force them to dispense a drug the pharmacist has professionally judged as unsafe. Refusing birth control does NOT fall under that category - that is not a professional judgment, it is their personal belief. Big, big difference.

There is a major shortage of pharmacists in this country. I would think a corporate pharmacy chain could and should have a policy stating that all medications (sans the above reasonings) will be dispensed by all pharmacists in their employ, including contract pharmacists.

However, demographics may play into the lack of policy with the corporate offices that fears loss of business and revenue from the volatile anti-choicers; or the corporate chain may fear losing a hard to replace pharmacist to staff their stores.

I hope this explanation helps. I'm sure you didn't mean for it sound like a pharmacist is only as good as their computer; your pharmacist is one of the most educated professionals in the medical field. In retail, their knowledge is underutilized.

[tyedyeto]

146. As far as using computers, what I meant was

Many people go to different MDs for different ailments but they have a tendency to go to only one pharmacy to fill the prescriptions prescribed. Flags are raised when medications are incompatible. Often it is a computer that shows them.

I definitely agree with you that personal beliefs should have no bearing on what medications they dispense.

[bettyellen]

101. some people don't have choices anymore where they live

and it would be nice if we tried to support them.

[SemperEadem]

117. a pharmacist

should not be interfering in the health/life decisions made between a customer and her doctor. That's practicing medicine without a license. If they do not have first hand, intimate knowledge of the patient's medical history, they are in no position to tell that woman what medicines she may or may not have. Period.

[grannylib]

137. my biggest fear is that the next step is pharmacists that say

well this company that makes heart medicine, they make bc pills too and don't want to contribute to their profits until they quit making bc pills so i won't dispense this either...
it'll happen if it hasn't already

and not everyone has choice as to where to go...many little towns have only one pharmacy if they have any at all

[Maat]

3. I appreciate your efforts, but I sit on the fence on this one.

And I'm a BIGTIME fighter about reproductive/planned-parenthood rights.

But out here in California, there's a law MANDATING that they permit an individual pharmacist to refuse.

And Wal-mart has a CORPORATE policy that they will not stock either RU-486 or the Morning After Pill.

And I have patronized Wal-Mart for years; my husband put down my prescription there. It took me several months to get it switched, but I did.

So, I haven't given Wal-Mart a dime for quite some time.

I DO go to a Walgreen's - the pharmacist at the individual Walgreens has a policy to fill ALL prescriptions.

We have no CVS around.

I do not want to punish him - he is trying HIS best.

On edit:
I could go to Costco. Thanks for the link.

Thoughts?

[Lisa0825]

9. I don't agree that it would be punishing him.

If it was a small, locally owned store, boycotting could hurt him, but Walgreen's is a huge corporation. You won't be hurting your local pharmacist by getting your prescription filled elsewhere. I doubt they'll even feel any financial pinch from this anyway, but the more people talk about it, and the more people contact them to TELL them they are switching, the more likely their PR department will realize they have a major problem on their hands.

[Maat]

12. I think that as soon as I can, I'll switch to Costco -

but they are not open 24/7, and that might increase the need for me to plan my trips consistently.

[K8-EEE]

33. The Costco Through The Mail Pharmacy Is Great

My ins. made us switch to theirs (MedCo) but CostCo through the mail pharmacy is so convenient!

You get a 90 day supply of meds...no more pharmacy runs! And Costco is a true BLUE company with great rates for uninsured people as well.

[Maat]

51. Thanks for the info (n/t).

[Bozita]

122. Costco has the lowest prices on generics -- bigtime savings

A local TV station checked all major pharmacy chains for their pricing on prescription drugs.

On generics, Costco was the consistent low-pricer. Things like generic Ativan were $12-15 at Costco; same generics sold for $75-90 at the big chains.

Check it out.

[kcwayne]

148. Uh, if they are not going to feel a financial pinch from

customers leaving them, why in the world would they consider it to be a major problem?

[wryter2000]

76. Shoot

But out here in California, there's a law MANDATING that they permit an individual pharmacist to refuse.

How did I miss this? :wow:

I've never set foot in a Walmart, and I never will. Costco's right across the street, anyway. :loveya: Costco

[Maat]

80. I love CostCo too.

And I laugh uproariously when I see all the cars and trucks with 'W' stickers on them shopping there.

Yep, I verified there is a 'conscience law' in California. I'll try and find the link. Should have kept it, but it made me sick. I'll find it again.

[femrap]

129. Maybe you could tell your Walgreeen's

pharmacist to tell Corporate HQ that he is losing alot of customers due to their policy....OR...ask your pharmacist for the CEO's name and write him/(her...yeah right...) about your disgust of the policy....and mention Viagra too....if they won't give BC pills, then no Viagra should be prescribed.

[GreenPartyVoter]

4. Good job!

[KarenInMA]

5. CVS!!

I wrote to Wallgreens, eckerds, CVS and Walmart about this issue, and Wallgreens response was that they supported the "rights of the pharmacists".

only CVS wrote back a sastifactory response.

[Ravenseye]

10. What Rights?

*on edit* Not angry at you, just angry at the issue *end edit*

To do their job? It's not their job to choose what a person gets or doesnt? It's their job to fill it.

You can't go to a pharmacist and have them say "oh well the doctor wanted to give you drug X, but I think drug Y is much better." Can they do that? No. If they can't change your drug, then they can't deny it to you.

What about all the girls who are on the pill to regulate their cycles? I've known a couple, I'm sure there are tons more that just never said anythign about it.

What about the people who live in a small town with one pharmacy and the next closest one is a long drive away?

This whole thing makes me so mad.

[crikkett]

53. pill was also once used to treat uterine cysts btw n/t

[gkhouston]

54. I think you mean ovarian cysts -- still used for that n/t

[crikkett]

166. nope, fibroid cysts of the uterus.

b/c pills are effective in shrinking the cysts for about 6 mos. then they return to their previous size & get bigger, that's what I read about a year ago when researching treatments.

[K8-EEE]

65. It's Used For Heavy Periods, Acne, Lots of Things

It's none of their goddamned business what my doctor and I decide to use for whatever reason, this is just unbelievable.

[Ravenseye]

69. What gets me....

...is that they can refuse to fill a perscription on essentially religious grounds. My religion forbids birth control so I won't fill that prescription. Then on top of that you can't refuse to hire someone on the grounds of what religion they are...

So what if a Scientologist becomes a Pharmacist? Can he or she refuse to fill any drugs they feel are bad according to their religion like anti-depressants?

What about a Christian Scientist who doesn't believe in any medication? Can they just stand there and refuse to fill any prescriptions?

It's just insane that they'd allow that.

[girl gone mad]

93. I had to take birth control..

when I was on Accutane, because accutane causes severe birth defects.

Imagine a teenage girl with bad acne who can't get one of the only good treatments available because the pharmacist refuses to fill the prescription for bc pills. She could end up with disfiguring scars.

Worse, imagine if pharmacist fills the prescription for Accutane but not for birth control. The result could be a baby with extreme deformities and mental retardation.

[Maat]

15. Would be willing to tell me more about the CVS letter?

I don't have one around me, but I'm hoping that they will put one in soon.

[KarenInMA]

19. I don't have it with me, but I can PM you in the next few days

with the text.

Basically, CVS states that they will fill every prescription, every time, and that if a pharmy doesn't want to fill something, s/he will have to hand it off to another pharmy who's working there, WITHOUT LETTING THE CUSTOMER KNOW!! Basically, a "pharmacist for life" cannot work my themselves.

Reading between the lines, it sounds like CVS vets there people for this.

IIRC, they also fired a pharmacist in Wisconsin after just one complaint, no questions asked.

[Maat]

50. Hey, that is what I wanted to know -

and what I wanted to hear!

Thanks for the info!

[Lannes]

7. No not Walgreens!

The woman who fills my prescriptions there make me almost glad when in sick. :) But I guess Ill have to look elsewhere.

[evil eggplant]

8. Good for you.

It is unconsciencable that a pharmacist would make a moral judgement about a customer, then act on that judgement by refusing services.

Any pharmacist engaged in something as detestable as this should be flipping burgers or pumping gas.

FYI in certain states doctors are permitted to refuse treatment based on their moral and ethical beliefs.

Unreal

[wli]

74. which states?

That's really ominous about doctors refusing to administer treatments.

[RobinA]

83. Sooooo

a service person may never refuse service that is requested by a customer? Any time my employer askes me to do something, even if I believe it to be morally wrong, I should be fired for refusing to do it?

[girl gone mad]

94. If it is legal, then yes.

For instance, I happen to not eat meat because I think that animals are treated unethically and slaughtered inhumanely.

If I were a waitress, I wouldn't be entitled to refuse to serve meat to customers simply because it goes against my own moral principles.

[bettyellen]

102. if it's in your job description you do it, as promised to your employer.

if you have special moral needs go find a special moral job.

[Taxloss]

11. Good protest.

Sensible, polite, and followed through.

Well done. :yourock:

[wrlwnd]

It's a free market

I'm sure they'll come around once it hits them in the wallet. Then their "morals" will suddenly not be a factor.

[seabeyond]

13. my walgreens is getting to know me as a really good customer

just spent a hundred in school supplies. am going in more often, and close to me. i was going to ask before purchasing all that and didnt

i will. i want to ask if any pharmacist would deny me a perscription because of religious belief. they dont get to be offended any longer. i have to pick up a perscription today at my local untied. this is where i have been doing my perscription. they know me well. the whole store. was going to ask the pharmacist today

we did this battle decades ago that man is not going to tell me how to live, what to do, what my choice is. they do not have power and control over me. we have already figured this out. aint gonna happen

a lot of scre you, going on, in my perspective, to any male that attempts to define me as a woman, as a feminist

it is not the males to define

[Sgent]

18. Well....

I just filled about $1200 of medication at Walgreens this morning before I read this thread.

My only issue is that Walgreens is the only 24 hr pharmacy around here. I *guess* I could make the switch, and would rather support a local pharmacist anyway, but for someone like me who works a lot of nights and has weird hours, that 24hr thing is a huge convience.

[jane_pippin]

16. A Walgreens pharmacist was caught doing this in Milwaukee

not long ago. ("this" meaning not filling birth control 'scripts)I'll try to find a story/link.

It's scary for a variety of reasons but what gets me is, how long is it until a pharmacist decides they don't want to fill prescriptions for other "morally objectionable" reasons?

Didn't anyone ever tell these people when they were growing up that sometimes as an adult you'll have to do things you won't love doing? It's madness.


on edit: here's a story. This one is about the morning after pill: http://www.themilwaukeechannel.com/news/4454234/detail.html

[Not Me]

17. Good for you!!

I am a gay man...probably as far as you can get personally from the need for abortion rights. BUT, I stand with you in the struggle to maintain reproductive rights.

Take a look at the list of pharmacies on fillmypills.org. You won't be surprised that companies like Costco have a 'thumbs up' and 'Walmart' is thumbs down.

[cally]

59. A personal thanks

We all have to stand together on issues to make changes. I thank you for your support.

I only buy from my HMO which does not discriminate. I won't buy from Walmart or Walgreens. Does anyone know if Long's is OK?

[donheld]

89. Another gay man stands with you all

if they can tell you what to do with your body they'll try it with us too.

[progressoid]

20. Thanks for reminding us

I haven't been to Walgreens after I read about one of their pharmacists refusing and I decided, "never again". Time to look for a new one. Sadly, Walgreens is the only one open 24 hrs.

I guess I'll just have to call the others and ask their policy. But first a call to Walgreens corporate!

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

21. A Walgreens customer had an abortion after the pharmacist refused her

http://www.themilwaukeechannel.com/news/4454234/detail.html


That's when I contacted Walgreens and ended 35+ years as their customer.

[Justitia]

31. Holy Crap! That story is unbelievable! They should have fired that

pharmacist on the spot for a MULTITUDE of reasons.

And I have a whole lot of "are you a true practicing Catholic?" type questions for that religiously insane woman.

Is she still working for Walgreens????

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

86. There's been no followup story I can find

Since Walgreens policy supports her actions, I doubt they fired her.

[Lars39]

77. I sincerely hope the customer has a lawyer and sues that pharmacist.

[CrispyQ]

22. Great web site!

I'm sending the link to everyone in my address book.

Kudos on the phone call. Yes, we need to speak out. According to the list on the site, I need to switch to Costco or give Safeway a call & find out thier status. Thank you!

[Ilsa]

23. Thanks for discussing this.

We have a new Walgreens being built around the corner, not too far from the "Mom & Pop" Pharmacy I use, which absolutely believes in dispensing all medication orders written without harassment or embarassment. It's important that Walgreens know why this is happening, and that you won't be picking up anything extra in the store.

Geez, what if persons of a Middle or Far Eastern religion were to try this in the US? The Christians would work without ceasing to get them fired, and if foreign, deported.

[Eloriel]

63. All of you who are choosing to boycott them should LET THEM KNOW

call that corporate office number.

I'm not choosing to boycott them, there's not one for miles around, so I don't shop there anyway.

Oh, and for those who will be MOVING your scripts, please consider an independently owned (mom and pop) pharmacy. Yeah, it might be a little more expensive, but you'll be doing good with your money.

[Ilsa]

67. Yeah. Our money stays local.

I'm going to let the national office know as they begin their ad push for their two new stores.

[napi21]

24. I agree with all of you on the 'scripts, but I also agree that

Doctors should have the right to refuse to perform an abortion.

Since both of them are professionals, how can I argue against one and support the other?

BTW, I took BS pills for many years (don't need that stuff anymore!).

I would never even consider an abortion for myself, but I don't believe I should be able to control what others do!

[Bridget Burke]

29. Women don't go to "any" doctor's office for an abortion.

That's a specialized procedure. Some MD's now graduate without learning how to terminate a pregnancy, even when the mother's life is in danger.

A pharmacy is supposed to fill ANY prescription.

[Justitia]

32. It's also selective discrimination. Some women get it, some don't. -eom

[Modem Butterfly]

47. BS Pills?

Without commenting on your post, that has to be one of the funniest typos I've read today!

[TahitiNut]

25. What's next? Christian Scientist Surgeons?

Imagine being on the operating table and the surgeon says, "I'm sorry, ma'am. It's against my religious beliefs to repair that aneurism by slicing into your body. Let's pray."

[jbnow]

46. Not just that

As a pharmacist could I say AIDS or cancer or diabetes is God's will or punishment? Why not? The medicine interferes with the natural order of things.

[Incitatus]

99. hmmmm

http://www.globalaging.org/elderrights/world/2005/doctors.htm

Controversial new NHS guidelines say hospitals must consider whether a person is too old to reap the benefits of care.

The advice raises the spectre of health rationing for the elderly, allowing doctors to decide some treatment is "not worth it" for old people. The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (Nice), which decides what drugs and procedures the NHS should offer, argues that age can play a key role in whether drugs or procedures will work. But the advice has triggered a furious reaction from pensioners' charities, which insist older people deserve the same chances as other patients.


http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/07/29/MNGREDVVKI1.DTL
A Southern California lesbian who sued her doctors for discrimination after they refused to artificially inseminate her is now fighting both them and the state's largest medical association over whether doctors should have the right to refuse treatment on religious grounds.

The California Medical Association has taken the position that, in addition to being able to choose which procedures they perform, doctors should in some situations be able to choose whom they treat.

[nicknameless]

113. There are more and more Catholic-owned hospitals -- And YES, they do

refuse to perform some procedures, such as tubal ligations for women.
Especially notorious are the cases where women went to the hospitals to give birth and wanted to have the tubal ligation procedure done at the same time ... only to have the doctors refuse.

They're following the church's 70-point "Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services"

Especially in areas where there aren't that many choices in hospitals, this is a horrible circumstance for women.

Other restrictions/refused services:
http://www.ripsawnews.com/2001.03.07/feature.html

The Directives prohibit any medical procedure forbidden by Catholic moral teaching, including abortion under any circumstance, contraception (including birth control pills prescribed for endometriosis or ovarian cysts), tubal ligations and vasectomies, in vitro or artificial fertilization, the distribution of condoms (even to married HIV-positive patients wishing to protect their spouses), and any end-of-life instructions that run counter to church teachings.

[Lisa0825]

149. I had a friend who found out her baby would have severe

spina bifida, with no chance of survival. The Catholic hospital she was going to would not terminate the pregnancy. They expected her to go through months of agony carrying a baby she knew would die. She went to another hospital for the procedure. It took her time to acknowledge it was an abortion. This woman was strongly pro-life, and the experience profoundly changed her. Now she understands what pro-choice really is.

[nicknameless]

171. What a nightmare!

There are many reasons to be pro-choice. I’m so sorry that your friend’s understanding came at such a horrible price. :(

[PDittie]

26. THIS is activism in action

Great work, Lisa.

[demgurl]

28. I have passed up many a freebie because I refuse to

shop at Walmart or Walgreen's. I always feel a little sad when my groups post the freebie deals i can get at those stores for the week but my ideals and morals are worth so much more than that. I did write to Walgreen's and let them know they would not have me as a customer but I was never given a reply. If enough people write or call I am convinced that they will change their policy. Money talks to corporations.

[Vinca]

30. I wish one person could 'splain to me why some people who are

against abortion are also against birth control. This is a huge mystery in my book. Birth control pills stop ovulation. They don't abort anything. Idiots.

[Justitia]

34. It's a RUSE. It's about controlling women's sexuality, not "babies". -nt

[wtmusic]

64. Exactly

it's a control issue, but I would argue of male sexuality too.

The idea is: if we would all just be abstinent until we are heterosexually married, then procreate like rabbits and raise our little bunnies in the church, the church will thrive and prosper, and everyone will go to heaven.

They want to fit this square peg in the round hole of reality so badly that they will overlook unbelievable suffering to pound it in.

Kind of like Iraq.

[jane_pippin]

38. Here's some ridiculous logic from my family:

One of my younger (teenage) fundie cousins is sexually active yet won't use the pill because it is akin to abortion in her mind.

It's so fucked up. Her mother was a teenage mom and has not had it easy at all. (I'm not suggesting this is the case with all teen moms, but this case in my family happens to be one of the worst case stories). I've tried giving her the "wise older cousin" chat but it didn't change anything. Not yet anyway. It's just sad all around.

[Vinca]

41. Isn't that a little odd for the fundie cousin to be sexually active?

Maybe you should lay a guilt trip on her about saving herself for marriage or similar BS. It's baloney, but maybe she'd take it to heart and save herself some pain in life.

[jane_pippin]

44. That's exactly what freaked me out.

I've tried that route and will keep trying any line of discussion that could help her make better decisions. She's such a bright kid but so ill informed in this regard. I just don't want her to end up with the life her mom had--it was and is so difficult for her even with the help other family members have given over the years.

It's really frustrating but like I said, I'll try just about anything at this point.

[MountainLaurel]

84. If you knew any fundies

That sort of hypocrisy isn't odd at all.

[annabanana]

108. not if she grew up fundie..

She's been living with those kind of contradictions all her life and probably doesn't recognize them..
(kind of like the fish being the last creature to "discover" water; i.e. by its absence)

[jane_pippin]

133. You make a good point: "she probably doesn't recognize" contradictions...

I used her as an example because I've of course known her since she was born. I'm not going to claim this part of my family is representative of all fundies, but at the moment they are the only people who subscribe to that outlook that I know intimately.

I've found myself using them as examples or inspirations for ideas the more I post here because they just baffle me constantly but in other ways they seem to make perfect, if crazy, sense. Here's what I mean: You're right that she probably does not recognize the contradictions. But she didn't grow up fundie. My theory is that she's seen so much trouble, (mom was a drug addict, dad left when she was a baby, brother expelled from school and in and out of juvie, never had much money--the list is endless), that when one of the more stable family members finally could afford to take her in she finally had a decent home life. It's just that it happened to include going to the family member's fundie church. I think maybe she feels safe (which I'm so happy about), but that safety means she's finally in a place where she really can trust what adults are telling her, therefore even fundie talking points somehow "make sense," (which freaks me out).

I'm having a hard time explaining all this without it turning into a monster post. I guess all I'm saying is in her case it's partly (I assume based on my knowledge of her situation), imitating the adults/authority figures she's always known and partly trying to be "good" now that she's more stable. I just know she's a sweet, smart kid and I don't want to see her get hurt. There's a lot more to this story but I'm not sure this is the most appropriate place to dissect it either. I just wanted to shed a little more light on this story for you than my original post here may have.

[annabanana]

143. perhaps her good fortune in finally being in a "safe" place...

means that she doesn't really want to examine it too closely because she fears finding that it's not "all good"

(and for her, that could mean that her whole "now I'm safe" worldview would become "unsafe" and tumble around her..... I can understand why she couldn't look too closely)

[jane_pippin]

163. I think you nailed it. n/t

[nicknameless]

107. Years ago I met a teenage, Catholic girl who was going to have an abortion

She told me that she and her friends didn't use birth-control because the Church was against it.
Their reasoning was that birth control = ~30 sins per month vs. the risk of having to have an abortion = <1 sin per month.

[SemperEadem]

119. you should point out the bible verses

which condemn fornication and call her a loathesome hypocrit.

[Sparkman]

56. Many churches are anti birth control...because it will slow parish growth.

The Catholic and Protestant churches are SAYING they oppose pre-marital sex and teen sex, but like all hypocrits they have a hidden agenda. They see the poor as a labor source and as the most likely to join and tithe to their church organisation, and the higher the birth rates the better for business and the larger will be their group for social control. Follow the money, like Jesus did, into the temple, synagogs and public squares where the money lenders and traders were willing to commit heresy, while calling themselves religious.

[tsuki]

73. It's a Klan dictate. They want white women to pop one out every

year so they won't get over run by the non whites. They are convinced that only white women use birth control since all the other races are "welfare queens" and have kids every year for the HUGE welfare payments. Racism disguised as Godliness. I think this is the MOTHER of ALL SMOKESCREENS.

[grannylib]

138. it's all about subjugation of women. women who can't control their

reproduction won't be able to control any aspect of their lives (certainly not the poor ones, and the rich will have access to whatever they want, always have always will, so it won't be an issue for them, no pun intended)

the radical extremist "christians" on the right are trying to take us straight back to the stone age, or at least the mythically-perfect '50s.

[Talismom]

35. Good going! That's taking an active role in building a democracy! n/t

[Terran]

36. Good for you.

However, if you can, try to support a local pharmacy and not a chain (not sure if CVS is a chain or not but sounds like one). Your local pharmacies are becoming an endangered species, like so many other types of independent businesses. They may not be as fast on filling scripts, but you tend to get more personal service.

[Lisa0825]

39. Endangered species, yes.

I try to choose local places form most things I do, but the one local pharmacy I know of in my town just isn't very good. I stopped going there years ago, because of their selection and service. But your point is a good one. When a local option of good quality exists for any product or service, go with it rather than a chain.

[lateo]

37. Walgreens is one of the most expensive places to get meds...

If you have to support the pharma companies at least go to Sam's Club. :)

I called around town to find out the prices for my prescriptions at other places. Sam's Club had the absolute lowest price...

And you don't have to be a member to use the Pharmacy.

Walgreen's price for my prescription was almost $300.00

Sam's Club...$50.00

Same generic pill...big difference in price.

[Lisa0825]

40. I didn't know you could use Sam's pharm w/o membership!

Anyway, with my insurance, the cost is the same regardless of what pharmacy I use. But I will certainly keep that tidbit of info in mind!

[lateo]

42. The cost is the same to you but...

One of the reasons medical care prices go skyrocketing every year is because of companies like Walgreens gouging the insurance companies for prescriptions. It is a win for the insurance company and for you because you are going to help (maybe) keep what the insurance company has to spend low.

[Lisa0825]

43. good point! I will take that into consideration!

Walgreen's and CVS are both a block from my house, but it's worth planning my stops to make a better choice.

[VelmaD]

61. Isn't Sam's Club owned by Wal-Mart?

I know Wal-Mart pharmacies don't require their pharmacists to fill ALL legal prescriptions.

[K8-EEE]

66. Yes -- You Don't Have To Belong To COSTCO to Use Their Pharm

services and they have mail service for meds as well.

[nicknameless]

109. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Thank you so much for posting that information -- I'll never have to use Walgreens again!!! :hi:

[lateo]

82. Yes...

But I don't have a Costco here so I make a deal with the devil.

[K8-EEE]

156. Tell The Devil Goodbye--Order Your Meds From Costco.com!

You don't have to be a member (although I believe it might be slightly cheaper if you are)

Chances are it will be EASIER and CHEAPER FOR YOU TOO!

At least look into it...

[lateo]

160. Sweet...

Good idea...thanks!

[bettyellen]

103. sam's is walmart, isn't it?

[put out]

120. "Sam's Club" is Sam Walton's, I believe.

Money in his children's' pockets.

I could be wrong.

Edit. misspelling. Probably misspelled that too. Walgreen's also is Walton's. Or his heirs, now. It's difficult to find a place to shop where all your dollars don't go right in to a Walton pocket and send your community down the crapper.

I keep trying. How's Kmart?

[prairierose]

45. Lisa0825, good for you....

this is what activism looks like. State your case logically & succinctly & tell them why they will no longer enjoy your business.

I do this all the time, however, since we now have more info on red & blue corps.....I make it a point to do business with blue corps as much as possible or at least pink ones! I have not walked into a Walgreens for about a year.

:applause:

[ComerPerro]

48. Good idea

[seabeyond]

49. i just spoke to my pharamcist. i asked him, will your religous beliefs

stop you from filling a perscription. i clarified, told him i shouldnt have to ask, but out society has gotten to this point. and i must ask. he should be able to keep religion private, but pharmacists have messed that up.

he said he hasnt faced that yet. i asked, will you fill birthcontrol. he said he has filled many. i wasnt left assured. i should have asked about day after. was like he had been thinking about it

i told him, if a pharmacist couldnt do their job, they shouldnt have the position. i wont give money to a business that will make a moral judgement when a doctor has written a perscription for me.

he said he guessses it is something to debate

yes i say. and i started with you

i am going ot talk to manager of united and clearly tell him my opinion.

[earthmama]

91. I am going to ask myself

and see what they say. I go to Kerr Drug

[mainer]

52. But does Walgreen's require it be filled by another pharmacist?

Walgreens may be trapped in the legal spiderweb of conflicting state laws. Many states allow an individual pharmacist to personally refuse to fill a prescription, and the pharmacies must abide by those laws. But if their store policy requires an on-call pharmacist to step in and fill that prescription in a timely fashion, then Walgreens really isn't violating the patient's rights. (And you can bet that if it happens often enough, and they have to pay for too many on-call hours, they're going to be careful not to hire non-compliant pharmacists.)

If your local store has never given any problems, somehow it seems wrong to punish them.

[seabeyond]

95. not good enough and will tell you why

it is becoming very organized thru religion for both catholic and baptists. they actually have a campaign going after pharmacist who are religious to follow non filling prescriptions. also, they are organizing their youth followers to go into the pharmaceutical profession to exactly attack birth control, day after pill and who knows what else

it is too organized. it has to stop. it has to be not acceptable. it isn't acceptable to me

i am pro business, and dont like going after companies, but..... this i feel has to be stopped.

[Bridget Burke]

55. CVS has the same company policy as Walgreen's

"According to CVS policy, a pharmacist who refuses to dispense medication based on personal ideology must make sure that the patient's prescription is filled anyway, either by another pharmacist at that location or by another pharmacy in the area. "

www.plannedparenthood.org/pp2/portal/files/portal/media/pressreleases/pr-040331-birth-control-cvs.xml

Most sources say that Walgreen's & Wal-Mart policies are the same. Having another pharmacist fill the presciption at the same store, without a wait, would be OK. But nobody should be sent elsewhere.

I'll continue to use my Walgreen's. It's on Montrose, near Westheimer. Houstonians will understand that this location is probably not staffed by prudes.

[Justitia]

72. LOL - as a Houstonian, yep, that kinda crap won't fly in Montrose! -eom

[BooScout]

78. I heard the same thing. n/t

[donkeyotay]

57. Blue Burka Pharmacy

So pious about life they can't even endorse birth control... but they make lots of money selling woody pills. Aren't they concerned that erection pills might be used for recreational instead of procreational purposes? Hypocrites. I wouldn't buy a birthday card at a Blue Burka Pharmacy.

[petite marmotte]

58. I'm New to DU and Had to Respond to This One

I have no idea why it is that some pharmacists have suddenly decided they know more about practicing medicine than a prescribing physician. My understanding is that they could question a prescription if they felt the dosage or some other problem could arise, but they could not outright refuse to fill it. What's next? Dangerous precident setting here. Any info about what MDs think about this?

[Verve]

62. Welcome to DU Petite!

I'm not a doc but I would assume MD's would not like pharmacists undermining their authority over prescriptions. It's one case if a pharmacist catches a mistake a doctor makes in a prescription, yet to deliberately withhold a legal drug is definitely uncalled for.

[seabeyond]

98. catholics and baptists higher ups are going after

this area thru their pharmacist followers, telling them it is their duty, or you are going to hell, where religion is going. we also have a head fda doctor who's sole notoriety is writing a book, pms, open your bible.

this is organized religion going after women in just another way

[arwalden]

60. Nicely Done!

:thumbsup:

[dhinojosa]

70. Costco has a pharmacy.....

Do you they have what you need as far as policy/drugs.

[Lisa0825]

150. I don't have a Costco within 40 miles of me. I hope they expand here soon

[LiveWire]

71. In southern California all we pretty much have...

...is Walgreens. Getting birth control isnt really a problem for me, seeing as I am a male. However, I have noticed that the condom sections are less and less stocked, and I have to drive a few places just to get a decent pack.

[lildreamer316]

97. Go to Planned Parenthood.

Really. They used to have bowls of free condoms at the door; if not they always have them somewhere there even if you have to pay for them. (Just in case it comes to the point when you can't find them anywhere).

[mitchtv]

125. There are plenty of Longs all ove CA

They are on the "?" list. better than a thumbs down

[Lisa0825]

152. At my local grocery store, they keep the condom locked up!

You have to ask the pharmacist for them.

[gkhouston]

167. we used to order them online, after the local stores stopped

carrying a brand my husband preferred. I have an IUD now, so we only keep a few condoms around for emergency backup, but ordering a couple of boxes online wasn't much more expensive than getting them at a drugstore and we could count on getting the kind he liked, so it worked out well.

[wryter2000]

75. Safeway?

Safeway is listed as "unknown." I get all my pills at Kaiser, but if Safeway doesn't care about women's reproductive rights, I'll be switching to Albertson's for most of my groceries. The rest already come from our farmer's market and Costco.

[BamaLefty]

79. Hate To Hear That...

My pharmacist on the other hand is a HUGE Democrat and worked pretty tirelessly in red Repub Alabama for Kerry. A great man.

[Democracy White]

81. I've never had any problems with my Walgreen's

outlet. In fact I get my BC for free because Medicaid covers it. I did ask my pharmacist about the policy but he's said he'd never heard of it.

Dee

[Emit]

85. Congrats for doing that...and I'll do the same. Also...

I think the men should join in this cause, too---not just the women. If my pharmacy is among those pharmacies that are allowing pharmacists to refuse to fill prescriptions for birth control pills, then I'll have nothing to do with them.

Also, here's something that struck me when I read this part of your post:
You wrote:
"No one else’s fundamentalist religious convictions or chauvinist ideals should ever interfere with my ability to have a legal prescription filled."

I've been on a discussion board that includes several religious right fanatics. Although I struggle at times with their inane shit, I have learned a great deal about what makes them tick, so to speak. It is their belief, for example, that the "evil secular humanists" (of which all of us who do not join with them are, in their demented minds) have been "forcing" them to adhere to our "evil" ways for years now, and that, to them, is the reason they are so supportive of Bush & Co.

Here's an example of today's message from these fanatics re: Bolton:

"Way to go George!

It's now time to throw out the filibuster and stuff some Pro Lifers on the Supreme Court down their throats!

That's what we elected you for George and that is the "least" we expect from you. It's time we take back this country from the terrorist sympathizers and baby killers.

It's about time! What took you so long George?

Another thing... it will be good to get the bible back in the classroom and the Ten Commandments back on the walls of justice so these kids will start to have some direction and morals.

For too long this country had been corrupted by, the slaughtering of innocent babies, the outpouring of support for homosexuality until a man and a man consummates their "marriage" the way the liberal press had only fantasized, and the movement of a secretly supported and funded group called the ACLU to overcome any mention of religion other than Islam.

George, I want to thank you as you have made the Carters of this world (that were so impotent to have America at their knees for 444 days because the man would not be a man and instead appeased the terrorist) look so foolish that the youth has been driven away from the Democratic Party in droves. Our future looks bright!

You have brought out the best in Kennedy to show the world what he is... a murderer, drunk and rapist that has dragged his family name into the depths of sewage, to reinforce what represents the Democratic Party's future, i.e., Name calling with no solution and no action. The Party that is so impotent it scares the hell out of Viagra.

God Bless You, George Bush!"

http://discussions.pbs.org/viewtopic.pbs?t=33306

And here's more specific examples of what I'm getting at regarding how they feel they have been "forced" to endure our "evil" humanistic secular ways (which they view as a religion, btw):

You may believe Saint Hillary's Vast Right Wing Conspiracy theories, but the fact is that the dominant media culture no longer has a lock on what they call 'news,' and everyday Americans across the country are able to access more and more information that has not been filtered and bent by the high priests of LeftMedia.

I know this really bothers the Religious Left, doesn't it?

You preferred the days of censorship and one-sided domination by the dominant media culture.

Those days are long gone, my friend!

AND THIS:

You and I are at opposite ends of the culture war.

At issue is whether faith or unbelief will succeed in becoming or remaining the foundation of American society.

Having made a religion of unbelief (see the Humanist Manifestos - http://www.jcn.com/manifestos.html), the Religious Left is now intent on erasing and replacing all vestiges of Judeo-Christian thought and ethics in our culture.

The President has no desire to dismantle government, he simply wants to relegate government to its proper role, allowing free citizens to guide their own destinies, reap their own rewards and suffer their own consequences (The Founders called this 'The Pursuit Of Happiness') without a blundering, self-righteous, Humanist-indoctrinated "safety net" of social workers and social programs endlessly trying ensure that no one can fail and no one must ever face the consequences of their bad decisions.

That is the Utopia the Religious Left seeks, and the socialist form of government required to operate such a Utopia requires that no other belief system compete with it (Hence the Soviets and their KGB, kicking down the doors of their own citizens in the middle of the night, hauling away those who needed "re-education".)

I suspect our own American Left would be equally willing to see "culturally incompetent" conservative, Bible-believing people taken away or incarcerated to face the same 'cure.'

That is one reason I am happy to report that all signs point to an eventual end of the culture wars and a decisive victory for the side of belief.

One of the reasons for this victory is the Founders themselves, who created a society that can choose its own destiny.

Otherwise, the Religious Left would be able to use the court system to trump the executive and legislative branches, eventually stamping out all counter-revolutionary thought.

Or had you not thought the whole thing through that far?

http://discussions.pbs.org/viewtopic.pbs?t=7077&postdays=0&postorder=asc&topic_view=&start=30

When I first encountered these fanatics on the PBS boards, I thought they were few and far between. (The latter two examples are from a poster, Robert Larimer, who is a known 3-time divorcee, wife-beater, and anti-homosexual advocate in Seattle, and some of the sane folks on the board there think that he gets paid to post.)

Anyway, a couple of months ago, I caught "Religion & the Judiciary" on C-Span. A lot of what was referred to at that "conference" is what I'm getting at. For example, one of the speakers, a retired judge who found God when his marriage was on the rocks, ranted on and on about the Humanist Manifesto and Darwin. He basically verbatum repeated what this guy, Larimer, posts almost daily at the PBS board. They stay on message. They are brainwashed. And many, many followers of these religious cults are believing we are the enemy. That's why they blindly support Bush and do not listen to reason.

On a DU thread this weekend, someone here posted about how they had sat and watched the 700 Club (or one of those shows), and how the show went on and on about the evils of secularism. A lot of people responded with comments about "Why watch that crap?!" and what not, which, of course, is our first, gut reaction to choosing to endure such nonsense.

But, I say, watch it and listen to their message (at least once to understand) and know your enemy. These shows and congregations have been making us the enemy for 30+ years. And this issue related to pharmacists not filling prescriptions is just one of the tactics in their arsenal.

[me b zola]

87. Thanks for the link to fill my pills NOW!!!

I quit Wallgreens when all of this mess came to light about RX's refusing to fill scripts. I began going to Rite Aide thinking that they were a blue corp. I went to the PPFA site and found out differently.

Rite Aide has a big thumbs down.

Thanks for this, I won't be spending another dime there, either---but I will take a cue from you and contact both Wallgreens & Rite Aide and let them know why they won't get anymore of our $$$.

[rockymountaindem]

88. May I recommend switching to an independent pharmacy?

The little guy would sure appreciate your business and your opinions more than a big impersonal chain.

Why switch from one chain to another?

[Bozita]

124. Many insurance policies list the participating pharmacies ...

... and not many indies make those lists.

[Lisa0825]

153. Sad but true. (nt)

[GoneOffShore]

90. Glad to hear about CVS

And thanks for the link from Planned Parenthood.
Mrs Gone Off Shore will be pleased.


:kick:

[WeRQ4U]

92. Here in North Dakota, we don't have to worry about "corporate policy"....

Because of NOrth Dakota's Pharmacy Ownership laws. Under State law, you cannot own a pharmacy unless you are a pharmacist. Therefore, no corporations like Walmart, Costco, Target, Kmart, Walgreens, Osco etc. can own pharmacies. This law protects the rural nature of North Dakota (since large corporate pharmacies woudl essentialy spell the end of the locally owned retail pharmacy, leaving rural areas without medicine.) Another added benefit is the lack of corporate poliy handed down to hinder Pharmacist's free will.

My mother owns a pharmacy and stands very firmly that she will dispense the "morning after" pill and birth control. She wouldn't do it any other way.

[Incitatus]

96. Thanks for bringing attention to this.

Goodbye Walgreens, Hello CVS

[taught_me_patience]

100. Its local...

when I had a condom accident and needed the morning after pill, I got it from Walgreens w/o a prescription.

[SoCalDem]

104. So I guess if a fundy got a job at a dance studio as a dance instructor

they could refuse to give lessons,. because dancing is forbidden by their church?

or as a bartender could refuse to serve or mix drinks??

People need to soul search BEFORE they choose their professions..

If your religion has prohibitions regarding some medicines, maybe pahrmacy is not a good career choice..

If you hate kids, maybe you should not go to Teachers' College..

If you cannot draw, perhaps Art Institute is not your cup o tea..

[Spock_is_Skeptical]

105. Interesting - No more Walgreen's pharmacy for me then.

[conflictgirl]

106. Does anyone know where Rite Aid stands?

There are only Rite Aid and Walgreen's in this area, no CVS.

[nicknameless]

110. Here's a link for the list:

http://www.saveroe.com/fillmypillsnow/content.php?pid=302

Rite Aid is thumbs down.

[tammywammy]

111. In the DFW area

a pharmacist from CVS was allowed to stay on after refusing to fill a prescription. But the Eckerd pharmacists were fired for refusing.

Since Eckerds was bought by CVS I don't shop at either. I get my prescriptions from Kroger, and I've never heard anything negative about them.


Maybe CVS has changed their policy since March 2004, but either way, I don't shop there.

[eridani]

142. I thought it said on the CVS info--

--that CVS would require that another pharmacist be on hand in cases like this. If that did not happen in your case, you need to complain to headquarters.

[tammywammy]

170. This didn't happen to me

But it happened to another woman in the Ft. Worth area (N. Richland Hills). It was back in March 2004.

http://www.saveroe.com/fillmypillsnow/details.php#Texas

So that's why I said that maybe CVS has changed their policy since this incident.

Either way, I don't use either anyways, I use Kroger.

[nicknameless]

114. Thank you for posting this.

Walgreens will be hearing from me too.

[nicknameless]

116. The THUMBS-UP Companies at a glance:

Brooks Pharmacy/ Eckerd Corporation
Costco Pharmacies
CVS Pharmacy
Fagen Pharmacy
Harris Teeter
Kmart Pharmacy
Price Chopper Supermarkets
Super Valu Pharmacies


More info at: http://www.saveroe.com/fillmypillsnow/content.php?pid=302

[rainman99]

123. How fricking ridiculous. Is Walgreens going to feed all the

children who are born w/o birth control??? I'm telling you,
this country is in grave danger if birth control is being denied.

[rainman99]

126. Here's their corporate number.

Everyone call them and tell them how they feel:
[phone]

[femrap]

128. Walgreen's need to stop filling scripts for

Viagra....in fact, I think we should we INSIST on that....! Please write to Walgreen's and demand that....and Letters to Editor as well.

I will never step foot in a Walgreen's again!

[Eurobabe]

130. Wow, thanks for the insight, guess I'll have to switch

from Walgreens to Skeevee S.

[seabeyond]

132. dont just switch. talk to your pharmacist and let them know

doesnt do any good to just go elsewhere without talking to them and telling them what your issue is.

[AuntiBush]

135. Wal-Mart & Rite-Aid Can Kiss My A$$.

They can say "Buh-Buy" to my bucks. Their investors will certainly appreciate that if enough people boycott them. After all, Profits is the name of their game.

[grannylib]

136. thanks for sharing the information

[jillan]

139. This is what is so awesome about Forums like DU

I needed to pick up some stuff after work.
There is a Walgreens right across the street. Normally I would just run in there because it's so convenient.

But then I thought about this thread. And I just kept on driving.:evilgrin:

[Dee625]

140. These comments are offensive

quoting tyedyeto:

"And the only reason they know when medications are incompatible is because their computers tell them."

quoting SemperEadem:

"the pharmacist has no direct knowledge of the patient's medical history. They are making harmful judgements in an ignorance vaccum. If they have to call the physician to get guidance, they are told only what they need to know to dispense the right dosage of medicine to the patient. They don't get a copy of the patient's medical records sent over for review."

Today alone, I:
Called a physician to change the dose of an antibiotic because it was too high for a patient on dialysis.
Refused to fill multiple orders for adult doses of drugs for a 1 month old baby (yes, I said refused)
Helped a physician's assistant figure out what dose of an antibiotic was needed for a patient based on their culture results, height, weight and renal function
Refused to enter multiple prescriptions for drugs because they were in the same family and shouldn't be given together - waiting to hear back from the doctor (I said refused again)
Refused (that word again) to fill another prescription (again pending hearing back from the doctor) because the dose written doesn't exist
Advised a nurse in a doctor's office about interactions between several drugs (gee, forgot to use my computer)
Refused (dangit, there's that word again) to fill an antibiotic because the patient was allergic to it. Waiting to hear from Dr.
Refused (again?) to fill a drug because the patient was allergic to it, physician informed and agreed.

I realize the OP referred to refusal based on "moral grounds" which I would never do. However the above two posts are so off base of what I do on a daily basis I couldn't let them stand.

[EC]

141. Good job,

I've always contended that when going to school to be a pharmacist, they know then that they will be called on to fill these prescriptions, they still chose to be pharmacists, so therefore, their posturing now is moot, they made their decision when they accepted that diploma...

I warned women I knew about this, they didn't believe me and voted ** anyway, now when I bump into one of these women, they tell me they'll listen to me next time...

[liberalitch]

144. There is a sign in my nearest walgreens that says:

"Here at walgreens ghent walgreens we will fill EVERY valid prescription. If we do not have the drug we will have it sent in from another walgreens within 24 hours. If a customer is unable to wait 24 hours we will HELP that customer have the prescription filled somewhere else. Sincerely the management and staff of the ghent walgreens"

Pretty cool..... Ghent (well, norfolk) is a blue dot on a red domino

[Bridget Burke]

147. Most of the drug store chains have the SAME corporate policy.

But local stores follow their own rules. If in doubt, ask. Just because someone in one community had a problem with her store, don't take your business to one owned by another corporation.

Ask! Write letters.

[liberalitch]

155. a lot of people around here work in that store.....

maybe the staff made the decision as a group

[Libby2]

145. BC pills are also used in treating

endometriosis.

[seabeyond]

151. per our head fda dude......pms open your bible

original sin. we women are suppose to feel the pain from our original sin.

what does it matter that it helps with a legit disease. we woman are to experience the pain so we remember our original sin

[Lisa0825]

154. UPDATE: I dropped by to talk to the pharmacist last night...

I brought him the printout from www.fillmypillsnow.org , and told him about my call to the corporate office. He said that the reasoning behind allowing pharmacists to make a decision not to fill a scrip is supposed to be for cases in which the feel there has been a mistake, considering the pharmacy has the patient's drug history on file. He said I am not supposed to make decisions based on morals. I said, "But the problem is that pharmacists ARE making decisions on their personal morals, and that is wrong. I began to tell him about the casein Dallas that ended up with an abortion. He interrupted to say he read about that and was stunned. I said companies need policies to prevent things like this, and those are the companies I will do business with. What if a Scientologist pharmacist decides not to dispense anti-depressents because he feels it is morally wrong? What if a fundamentalist Christian decides AIDS is punishment for gays, and he won't fill their orders?" He said he understands my position, but he would never base a decision on his own morals. I said I trust him, but that's not good enough for me, because his employer isn't protecting my rights in a general sense. He agreed, and said he was sorry to lose my business. I said, "Well hopefully we'll get the policy changed." He said, "I have no doubt that you will!"

[ladeuxiemevoiture]

157. Aren't pharmacists who refuse effectively making medical decisions?

Isn't that illegal? What kind of pharmaceutical training gives them the right to interfere in medical care prescribed by medical doctors? The arrogance. :mad:

[Lisa0825]

158. In defense of good pharmacists...

I have had an occasion in which a doctor wrote me the wrong dosage, and the pharmacist noticed it and notified me. But except for those situations and drug interactions, I don't think pharmacists should be interfering with the decisions made between a doctor and her patient.

[K8-EEE]

161. In Any Case NO WALGREENS -- They Give $$ To Repukes

Where CostCo contributes 99% Dem and they're cheaper.

I've quit a lot of stuff just because of their corporate donations. My vote may not count -- but I vote with my dollars every time I can.

[K8-EEE]

162. I Think They Are Supposed To FILL THE EFF-IN RX...

That's their job. If they see where 2 meds counteract each other or something that's one thing. They are supposed to direct those questions TO THE DOCTORS INVOLVED....

[ladeuxiemevoiture]

164. Exactly.

eom

[gkhouston]

168. pharmacists do more than count pills

they've had a lot of medical training of their own and I would trust a pharmacist to understand what an appopriate dosage is and frankly, to be more aware of some drug-drug interactions than many doctors simply because they deal with that every day. That said, I don't think it's appropriate for a pharmacist to refuse to fill a prescription based on his/her personal beliefs, but only on his/her professional training -- and if there's a question about whether the medication is right, the thing to do is tell me they're not sure about the med and then call the doctor who prescribed it to straighten things out.

[bspence]

159. Awesome, great job

More effective than protesting.

Right on.

[Lisa0825]

165. Letter from CVS to PP:

http://www.saveroe.com/media/104_cvsmay2005fax.pdf

[truthbetold]

169. Oh God, I feel sick.

I work at a Rite Aid (front end associate) and it looks like they're one of the pharmacies that will allow a pharmacist to refuse to fill birth control prescriptions.
I don't know how to deal with that news.
It's especially hard for me because I take birth control pills myself. I know no one at my particular pharmacy would ever refuse to fill a script, but knowing that my company would allow them to refuse makes me feel ill.

[ladeuxiemevoiture]

172. Is it an allowance carte blanche, i.e., no language re: specific reason?

That is, does Rite-Aid allow refusals based upon medical reasons only (i.e., mixing medications which react with each other) and specifically NOT allowing refusals on the basis of moral reasons? If they make no distinctions in the language of their policy, I would have a problem with that, esp. considering the reality of what's going on today.

I would appreciate if you could try to find out, and if you do, could you post what you find out here - thanks

[seabeyond]

173. the argument is not that it is against their religion ergo they dont

have to do job. they chose their religion and there are sacrifices made int he religion they chose. if this is against their religion then they have to be the ones that sacrifice for their religion and leave this profession. it is not us that must sacrifice for their religion. for a catholic to ask us to sacrifice because of their religious choice is not walking the christian path, of said religion. they are going against their christianity. they are going against jesus

i think you need ot draft a letter. make your people aware, and people need to personally be calling out pharmacists across the nation, having them repeatedly share their religion and whether they would allow religion to stop them from filling a prescription.

[MissMarple]

174. So sad, too bad for Walgreens. Serve the public or serve the fundies.

Hey, this is America, I guess they have a choice.