Posted on 11/12/2005 5:00:47 PM PST by wagglebee
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Target Corp. is defending its policy on filling prescriptions for emergency contraception after the Planned Parenthood Federation of America accused the retailer of disrespecting customers' reproductive rights.
Target allows pharmacists to choose not to fill requests for emergency contraception, also known as Plan B, if it is against their religious beliefs.
The issue has caused an ongoing debate nationwide between people who oppose abortion because of religious beliefs and those in favor of abortion rights.
Emergency contraception primarily delays ovulation long enough for sperm to die without fertilizing an egg. Those who oppose the drug say it could cause an abortion, but medical experts disagree.
Though other retailers have similar policies, Planned Parenthood officials say Target's policy is especially burdensome to customers. If one pharmacist refuses to dispense the drugs, the customer could have to travel to another store to get it.
It's an unnecessary inconvenience and embarrassment to the customer, said Jackie Payne, assistant director of government relations for the Planned Parenthood Federation in Washington. The timing is crucial for emergency contraception and could be a problem especially for women in rural areas, Payne said.
"Basically, they don't want to absorb the burden," she said of Target. "They would rather pass that on to the customer."
But Target defends its policy, pointing out that if the pharmacist refuses to dispense the drug, he or she must pass it on to another pharmacist at the same location. If none is available, the pharmacist must call another Target and make sure the drug is available for the customer.
"We are committed to getting these prescriptions filled," said Lena Michaud, spokeswoman for Target Stores. "But we also have to respect associates with strongly held religious beliefs."
In a company statement, Target officials added that their policy follows recommendations made by the American Pharmacists Association. It's a rare event that a pharmacist's beliefs conflict with a request for emergency contraception, officials said.
"Under no circumstances can the pharmacist prevent the prescription from being filled, make discourteous or judgmental remarks, or discuss his or her religious beliefs with the guest," Target's statement said.
Planned Parenthood officials say if Target allows pharmacists to refuse to fill a prescription, they should think about adopting other ways to satisfy the customer. For example, other retailers have the emergency contraception delivered if pharmacists at the store refuse to fill it.
"All I want (Target) to do is to offer a minimum standard that the customer gets what she needs," Payne said. "And they won't do that."
On Thursday, Planned Parenthood organized a protest in front of the Target on Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis. Participants held signs and chanted, "In store without delay, Target fill my pills today."
By the time this proverbial rape victim got to see their personal physician or ob/gyn the plan B medication would be too late. See if you can call in this morning and get a same day appointment.
Been here three years and still can't recognize a post dripping with sarcasm? Come on, man!
Well, yah. I answered you with sarcasm, didn't I?
I have asked myself what I would have done if any of my daughters, at 12 or 13 or 14, for example, had been raped and became pregnant as a result. Fortunately, that never happened. Yet I cannot say I could have insisted they must carry this child to term and give birth. Dear Lord, how can we put this on someone who is, in fact, a child, one who did not choose to be assaulted in this way?
I do not condone abortion, though you may conclude I do. Yet for any parents who have experienced such a violation of their child, I will be not be among those who condemn them for protecting that child.
In an ideal world, no one would ever confront this, or all the other evils which surround us.
Oh, well, then so was my last one. And I ain't being sarcastic. :-)
BTW, how ya coming on that Boycott-a-Day Calendar? Without it, I might accidentally shop everywhere today. < /sarcasm > < insert smiley face >
BZZZZT!! AP gets it wrong AGAIN.
How about, "people who oppose abortion because they believe that it is wrong to murder a child in the womb"? What on earth does "religion" have to do with murder being wrong??
Most people say that the condom broke.
Sounds like bullchit to me, women know they need to go to a hospital for evidense to be collected. A woman raped at 10 oclock at night isn't going to find her PP's office open. So unless she's fortunate enough to be raped during regular business hours she's probably gonna have to visit the hospital. Your making excuses for forcing people to give the means for an abortion against their personal beliefs.
"By the time this proverbial rape victim got to see their personal physician or ob/gyn the plan B medication would be too late. See if you can call in this morning and get a same day appointment."
All ob/gyn docs keep at least one slot per day open for emergency visits. With pregnant patients, it's a necessity.
"Sounds like bullchit to me, women know they need to go to a hospital for evidense to be collected."
Yes, they know that hospitals collect evidence, but a significant number of victims do not report the crime, particularly if it was someone they knew. I worked at a crisis center and dealt with more than a few women who just wanted to forget the whole thing, but still needed to be examined. They chose their own doctors.
"Your making excuses for forcing people to give the means for an abortion against their personal beliefs."
No one HAS to become a pharmacist. If you're a kosher Jew, don't take a job at pork factory. If you're a pacifist, don't join the army. If you're an islamo-nut who's offended by women's bodies, don't take a job as a cabana boy. And if you're against birth control, don't take a job that requires you to dispense it. People are always entitled to their personal belief systems, but they are NOT entitled to force others to conform to those beliefs. That's what liberals do.
The scripture that you are quoting.
I would probably be right is saying that a huge percentage of the practicing pharmists entered the profession and got their degree/certification long before this question ever arose. A very weak argument at best.
People are always entitled to their personal belief systems, but they are NOT entitled to force others to conform to those beliefs. That's what liberals do.
Exactly what liberals do when they try to force a pharmist to dispence against their moral values. Especially so when the company tries to accomodate the 'wronged' individual and the remedy is rejected.
Spoken by the person who wants to force another to contribute to the death of a child because of the liberal view that women are entitled to em.
"Spoken by the person who wants to force another to contribute to the death of a child because of the liberal view that women are entitled to em."
No one can force a pharmacist to dispense the drug. They can quit at any time.
"I would probably be right is saying that a huge percentage of the practicing pharmists entered the profession and got their degree/certification long before this question ever arose. A very weak argument at best."
So then a man who is an emergency room physician who converts to islam should have the right to suddenly refuse to treat female car accident victims bcse his new religion says it's a sin to touch a naked woman not his wife? Or an army sergeant who becomes a Quaker can refuse to take up arms in a time of war? Same situation. Different beliefs. Your logic.
Really? Please quote the specific Words you refer to.
Yepper !!
This is all about avoiding a lawsuit from a phamacist and not a bit about prolife issues.
I believe quakers do serve in non combat areas during war time. As for a Dr.Converting to islam,he'd be too busy making bombs to work an OR.
Your arguements are assinine. I've been to many pharmacys that are out of a drug or don't carry it.I simply went to another pharmacy I didn't sit around pissing and moaning because I wasn't served in the manner I thought I deserved.
They have a back up plan to accomodate the 'supposed victim' (altho imo the victim is the baby getting murdered).
But accomodating doesn't seem to be enough for you. You want to force the pharmicists to actually hand over the filthy baby killing pills and nothing short of that is what you are demanding.
It's that demanding attitude in forcing an evil upon others that is ruining our Country.
So then a man who is an emergency room physician who converts to islam should have the right to suddenly refuse to treat female car accident victims bcse his new religion says it's a sin to touch a naked woman not his wife? Or an army sergeant who becomes a Quaker can refuse to take up arms in a time of war? Same situation. Different beliefs. Your logi
You actually display no logic or a severe lack of it with the examples you threw out. The converted doctor was a hoot, but the fact that he decided afterwards to become Muslim means he accepted a tenet of their faith and it wasn't imposed on him by someone else. He has decisions to make, but they are his own.
The Quaker thing is absurb on the face. If this were to actually happen, there are avenues the person could take which would releive him of his duties in the armed service, or place him in a non combat postition. But once again you have used poor logic in comparisons. Both chose a profession, then changed later on. That was their volition and they must deal with the consequences of the decision.
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