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."
HEY PLANNED MURDERHOOD - WHAT ABOUT FREEDOM OF CHOICE FOR THE PHARMACISTS ????
Just became a Target shopper!
Good news, ping!
Kill an innocent baby and God will be heard from. As for Catholics who sin, and we do, they will pay.
they used to donate to Planned Parenthood, I think.
You should learn about Jesus, Because of him sinners are forgiven, not beaten with God's angry fists.
Wal-Greens and CVS have the same policy as do many pharmaceuticals.
Sinners who kill innocent children are among those whom God condemned as "better never to have been born".
If you have an emergency one night stand and didn't at least use a condom-you are a FOOL.Contraception should be the smallest of your worries,ever hear of AIDS and a host of other diseases that will spoil all your fun.
"Guess that includes those who are raped too?"
Oh, jeez. Do the words "non sequitur" mean anything to you? Since when has Planned Parenthood had anything to do with rape? What percentage of all abortions are performed on rape victims? 1%, MAYBE?
I believe there is only one unforgivable sin...I could be wrong tho.
Wow, that IS great!! And, I can keep shopping at one of my fave stores :)
I didn't know this. Our family will definitly be shopping at Target this year for CHRISTMAS!
Babies conceived through rape are lesser beings and deserve to be aborted, or what? They aren't still children?
Is that like the old slave days when blacks were 3/5ths of a person for purposes of representation but not a person for purposes of voting?
tSG
Nobody is being denied the right to reproduce. Although I personally feel that such an option should be denied to a lot of people, it's the law and I'll stand behind it until it is changed.
I'd thought you'd like the news! :)
"If these b!tches put as much effort into using BC before screwing as they do in demanding someone fix the problem then this drug wouldn't even be nessessary."
Wow,....you really have a way with words!
It's very strange - a girl was supposedly raped here in AZ, went to 3 pharmacies, they didn't have this drug, went to the 4th (I'm not sure which store it was) and the pharmacist wouldn't give it to her on moral grounds. Now all the libs are up in arms about the 4th pharmacy, writing letters to the editor, boycotting the store, etc. I thought the whole story sounded a little strange, as in, why was she having to make rounds herself instead of going to a hospital? Maybe our laws are different in AZ...? I don't know, or it could have been a planted story.
Well this almost makes me wan't to shop at Target again.
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