WA Pharmacy Board allying with anti-contraceptive crusaders

[eridani]

You are not going to believe this. Our fight for strong Pharmacy Board rules that protect access to needed medications, including emergency contraception, is facing an alarming setback.

As you may remember, back in 2007, thanks to an outpouring of letters, phone calls, emails, and public testimony from pro-choice activists, the Washington Board of Pharmacy passed two rules that expressly protect patients' access to medications at the pharmacy counter. Under these rules, a patient cannot be turned away due to the personal, non-medical beliefs of a pharmacist.

However, a pharmacy owner and two pharmacists filed a lawsuit against the rules. That case has taken a series of twists and turns, including a Ninth Circuit ruling in support of pharmacy access, and a trial on the rules has been set for the end of the month.

Then, last week the Pharmacy Board called a last-minute meeting and voted to re-open the rulemaking process, potentially to weaken the pharmacy access rules we worked so hard to pass.

And today, the State of Washington, joined by the anti-choice plaintiffs in the case, filed a motion requesting a delay in the trial to allow time for a new rulemaking process.

It is outrageous that the Board of Pharmacy and the State are jeopardizing our hard-fought victories for women's health. We cannot afford to lose ground on this important fight for access to needed, time-sensitive medications.

Stay tuned for updates on this case and how you can get involved. Be prepared to stand up and protect access to essential health care for women and for all Washingtonians.

Thank you for all you do to protect women's rights and health.

Sincerely,
Lauren B. Simonds, M.S.W.
Executive Director

[eridani]

1. Action links

Federal District Judge Ronald Leighton - a George W. Bush appointee - has granted the request of the State of Washington and the anti-choice plaintiffs to delay the start of the trial for the pharmacy refusal case. Meanwhile, the state's Board of Pharmacy is re-opening the rule-making process, potentially to weaken the rules protecting access to medications at the pharmacy counter.

This means we are back to fighting for pharmacy access through the Pharmacy Board's rule-making process, circa 2007.

You and I worked for many long months to pass these Pharmacy Board rules, which protect a patient's right to access needed medications without hassle, delay or judgment. No one should be able to impose their personal beliefs on a woman seeking birth control, or on anyone seeking safe, lawful medications. The rules we worked so hard to pass say just that - and they could be thrown out the window.

We know that a strong majority of Washingtonians, from Seattle to Spokane, from Bellingham to Vancouver, support access to medications like emergency contraception (also known as the morning-after pill) at the pharmacy counter. The events of last week, and today's federal court decision, run counter to the values of the people of Washington.

It is confusing and disappointing that the State would backtrack on its previous support for these rules and for women's health. But we are not giving up this fight. With your support and volunteerism, we secured strong rules protecting patients' rights in 2007, and we can do it again.

For right now, please contact Governor Chris Gregoire and tell her you support the current rules and urge her to work with the Pharmacy Board to maintain access to medications like emergency contraception for all Washington women. http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5757/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=364