Pharmacies and contraceptives: Why the special treatment?

[politicat]

I really think we need to be making a stink - not that the pharmacists are behaving badly when they don't wanna fill scrips, but that they Are. Not. Doing. Their. Jobs.

Especially in big box stores that have pharmacies, why is it okay for one class of employee to refuse to work (and that's what this is about, after all) on religious/ethical grounds, but not okay for another employee - like a lower level one - to do the same thing?

What would happen to the register clerk that refused to scan condoms because he doesn't believe they prevent AIDS or because he's Catholic and believes that they interfere with God's will? In most stores, he'd be out of a job, so why do the pharmacists get pampered?

As much as this is a feminist issue, it's a labor and legal issue: the corporations that have given these fundie pharmacists these special rights have engaged in religious favoritism. They are giving special, unlawful privileges to a small class of employees purely on the basis of religion.

All of us, but especially labor, need to be coming down on these corporations. This week it's the pharmacists getting the right to not do their job. Next week, it might be the Jehovah's Witness EMT who refuses to deal with human blood, and the month after that, the Jewish store-clerk who refuses to stock the Pork and beans.

As far as the pharmacists are going.... if you don't want to fill the scrips, then find a new job. Go to work for a hospital doing surgical scrips, or find a Christian pharmacy that doesn't stock those heathen medicines. Just don't let the door hit you on the way out.

[Erika]

1. Theocratic right wing GOP on the move

They've taken over the republican party.

[beam me up scottie]

2. Because religion is sacred in this country.

Even if it's someone else's.

We're being accused of taking away their religious freedom by "forcing" them to fill prescriptions that conflict with their beliefs.

I never knew Jesus said anything about prescriptions.

[MercutioATC]

3. Perhaps it's a contractual issue.

Register clerks are unskilled labor and are Target employees.

Pharmacists are medical professionals and may or may not be considered "employees" in a contractual sense.

It depends on the contracts they signed. I don't know the specifics, but I wouldn't be surprised if register clerks and pharmacists had different working relationships with Target.

[niyad]

4. it isn't just target, or any of the big-box stores, it is also independent

pharmacies, including those in hospitals.

it doesn't matter what their contract says, they have NO right to decide what LEGAL prescriptions they will, or will not, fill. if they have objections, open their own damn pharmacies.

has anyone heard of any pharmacist refusing to fill a prescription for viagra?

[MercutioATC]

6. Actually, it has everything to do with their contracts.

They are only obligated to fulfill the provisions of their contracts. Depending on the leeway they are granted, they may be within their legal rights to refuse to fill some prescriptions.

On an ethical level, no, they shouldn't be able to pick and choose. The issue isn't if there's blame, but where that blame should be placed.

[napi21]

5. You're right to blame the Store! They are the employer.

I've many times made the suggestion that those who feel certain scips are against their religion to fill should set up their own pharmacies. Post your position, in LARGE BOLD PRINT, on the front door! There would be a place of employment where these pharmacists could be happy working, and a real hook to get specific customers to shop only there!

Now, if those pharmacies failed, that would mean there simply aren't enough people who support your opinion!!!!

Any other pharmacies should be required to fill any prescription issued by an authorized Dr. Any pharmacist who wishes to work there should re required to do the job!

[abluelady]

7. Try to Find a Costco or CVS.

I know Costco is blue and I am pretty sure CVS has a policy to fill all prescriptions.

Not only should we be supporting these stores but we should be picketing the others.

[politicat]

8. I do get all of mine at Costco

So the issue is not affecting me personally - the issue is that this is a labor issue, not just a feminist and choice issue. It's about who gets to make decisions about the nature of work, and how management handles those decisions. It's a bigger issue than just who gets what drugs.