Tonya and PQBON's WebLog

CVS allows pharmacists to use personal discretion when dispensing perscriptions

An article on abcnews.go.com talks about pharmacists not dispensing drugs based on there personal beliefs. Yes, I know we have already covered this. However, it seems it has happened again. This time with straight birth control pills. To make it worse, CVS unlike Ekerd Corp. is not only not firing them, but is in fact has a corporate policy that supports this.

This was all brought to my attention in the Orkut.com prochoice community. One of the community members composed a message to send to CVS. In the extended entry is two versions of letter, one to mail and one to submit on CVS.coms online feedback system.

I urge everyone to do this, not only does this effect women's reproductive rights but it potentially effects everyone. This allows pharmacists to refuse to fill AZT prescriptions for Aids victims, or prescriptions for STDs (which a rapidly returning problem in this country) or in theory medicine for a cycle cell enema patient because of skin color.

For the Web interface:

I am writing to voice my disgust over your company's policy to allow your pharmacists to refuse to fill prescriptions based on their personal belief system.

I read an article that a CVS pharmacist refused to fill a prescription for a married mother of two, Ms. Julee Lacey. The actions taken by the pharmacist are horribly wrong and immoral. She had no right to interfere with the medical treatment that Ms. Lacey was receiving. The unnamed pharmacist is NOT a doctor. She had no right to attempt to circumvent Ms. Lacey's medical care.

These medicines, such as emergency contraception and birth control pills, are prescribed by a medical doctor for the patient's use. The pharmacist has no right to interfere with the doctor-patient relationship.

The CVS pharmacist who refused to fill Lacey's prescription still has her job. This is absolutely WRONG and unconscionable.

Your corporate policies to legislate morality are deplorable. The CVS policy to "dispense legally prescribed therapies to customers as quickly as possible, but it will not force pharmacists to do things that would violate their religious beliefs" is nothing short of ridiculous.

I strongly urge you to reconsider your position on this matter. An individual's personal belief should not dictate another person's medical care. Religious beliefs do not trump the advice of a medical physician, and they must not be allowed to compromise patient care.

I look forward to receiving a response. I will also be sending a letter via U.S. Mail to your corporate headquarters.

Sincerely,
{Your Name HERE}
{Your contact info HERE}

For the mail:

CVS Corporation
Corporate Headquarters
One CVS Drive
Woonsocket, RI 02895 


To whom it may concern,
I am writing to voice my disgust over your company's policy to allow your pharmacists to refuse to fill prescriptions based on their personal belief system.

I read an article that a CVS pharmacist refused to fill a prescription for a married mother of two, Ms. Julee Lacey. The actions taken by the pharmacist are horribly wrong and immoral. She had no right to interfere with the medical treatment that Ms. Lacey was receiving. The unnamed pharmacist is NOT a doctor. She had no right to attempt to circumvent Ms. Lacey's medical care.

These medicines, such as emergency contraception and birth control pills, are prescribed by a medical doctor for the patient's use. The pharmacist has no right to interfere with the doctor-patient relationship.

The CVS pharmacist who refused to fill Lacey's prescription still has her job. This is absolutely WRONG and unconscionable.

Your corporate policies to legislate morality are deplorable. The CVS policy to "dispense legally prescribed therapies to customers as quickly as possible, but it will not force pharmacists to do things that would violate their religious beliefs" is nothing short of ridiculous.

I strongly urge you to reconsider your position on this matter. An individual's personal belief should not dictate another person's medical care. Religious beliefs do not trump the advice of a medical physician, and they must not be allowed to compromise patient care.

I look forward to receiving a response. I will also be sending a letter via U.S. Mail to your corporate headquarters.

Sincerely,
{Your Name HERE}
{Your contact info HERE}

Posted by pqbon at April 8, 2004 3:50 PM | TrackBack