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."
Man, I wish we had a Target in town so I could go spend some money!
This just shows how extreme Planned Parenthood is. It isn't good enough that Target sells these abortofacients, they now have to force their pharmacists to sell them even if it violates their moral principles.
Planned Parenthood has a totalitarian mindset. All they want is for pharmacists who have moral objections to abortion to be unemployed.
"Babies conceived through rape are lesser beings"
The point is the morning after contraception prevents those babies from ever being concieved which in most cases would be to irresponsible parents. Which is better preventing conception or aborting them or burying them after they're abused to death.
You don't think anyone at Planned Parenthood has ever been with a man, do you?
It would be hilarious (if it weren't so sick) how abortion advocates hide behind euphemism to advance their cause. They're not for ABORTION, no, they're for REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS! they claim, as if anyone were attempting to interfere with their right to reproduce.
Anyone has the right to reproduce all they want. Infanticide is another issue entirely.
I still like Wal-Mart better than Target, though...
Send me your money and I'll go spend it for you at my local Target.....:)
Actually he referred to all sinners in such a matter.
So if taken in your context I guess that it would be better that you would not be born as well.
However, this is why we refer to people as "Born Again." So it's to our benefit that all sinners no matter the sin are able to be redeemed.
It's not up to you who should and shouldn't be allowed to go to heaven. Only God's judgement decides.
BTTT
Is the Target pharmacy the only effen pharmacy in Minneapolis?
This is also what PP calls children.
"Actually he referred to all sinners in such a matter."
Really? Where?
Yes, I know.
What I want to know is why does that right exist in the Constitution only for pregnant women? Shouldn't the rest
of us also have the right to "off" any inconvenient person
in our way? Makes sense to me. /sarc...I think.
The Caps Lock key is to the left of the "A" key. After you figure out what it is, then we can get into why emergency contraception might be needed.
Morning after pills. If you had sex last night while not on the pills and too drunk/lazy to have other protection.
"Miniscule, tiny, minute proportions. Besides, the hospital can give it to them."
Every single rape victim who seeks medical treatment is offered the morning after pill if they aren't already on the pill, not tiny, miniscule percentages. And, sorry, but all rape victims do not go to the hospital. A significant number of them see personal physicians, usually their ob/gyn. Guess what those private physicians give them? That's right: a prescription, which they need to fill.
It's disgusting that you can be so dismissive of rape victims.
If I was running a store and had a customer with money in their hands trying to give it to me and my clerk said no because of their religion, I would be looking for a new clerk.
"As far as I am aware, ALL hospitals are equipped with that drug to give to rape victims."
As I pointed out in another post, not all rape victims go to the hospital. Those without major injuries often feel more comfortable seeing a private physician who gives them a prescription that they have to fill. Moreover, there is a FP poster who has claimed to be an ER physician who proudly refuses to give the morning pill out to rape victims.
It's a free country. I'd say you can boycott anybody any day of the week that you want.
Or are you a follower? We can post a calendar for you that displays days of the week that you can boycott a variety of stores.
Odd isn't Target the chain that does not allow Salvation Army kettles at Christmas?
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