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Pharmacists Sue Over Birth Control Policy
Yahoo News ^ | 1/28/06 | unknown

Posted on 01/28/2006 7:47:23 AM PST by Former Fetus

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Four pharmacists who refused to sign a pledge promising to dispense the morning-after birth-control pill sued Walgreen drug stores Friday, alleging they were illegally fired.

The lawsuits accuse Walgreen Co. of violating the Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act. The pharmacists were being represented by the American Center for Law and Justice, a public-interest group founded by evangelist Pat Robertson.

A new state rule requires pharmacies that sell federally approved contraceptives to fill prescriptions for emergency birth control "without delay" if they have the medication in stock. The rule is being challenged in federal court.

In response to the rule, Deerfield-based Walgreen asked pharmacists to pledge in writing that they would fill prescriptions for contraceptives such as the morning-after pill. The plaintiffs were suspended indefinitely without pay when they refused to sign the pledge in November.

"It couldn't be any clearer," said ACLJ senior counsel Francis J. Manion. "In punishing these pharmacists for asserting a right protected by the Conscience Act, Walgreens broke the law."

Walgreen spokesman Michael Polzin said the company needed to ensure that its stores would comply with the new regulations regarding the dispensing of emergency contraceptives.

"We are required to follow the law. We don't have a choice in the matter," he said.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; US: Illinois
KEYWORDS: birthcontrol; conscienceclause; fired; lawsuit; morningafter; morningafterpill; pharmacy; planb; walgreen; walgreens; workplace
Just two comments: the morning-after pill is NOT birth control but an abortifacient, and the Illinois law should reflect that fact.
1 posted on 01/28/2006 7:47:24 AM PST by Former Fetus
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To: Former Fetus

The simplest solution for Walgreens to avoid this "rock and a hard place" situation, is to not stock the drug. They are required to dispense if they have it in stock, but there appear to be no penalties if it is not in stock. But then, I've always had a simplistic view of things. It's probably not that simple.


2 posted on 01/28/2006 8:03:55 AM PST by knittnmom (...surrounded by reality)
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To: Former Fetus
No, one of the affects of the birth control pill is to detach a fertelized egg from the uterine wall. One of the effects of this pill is the same.
3 posted on 01/28/2006 8:09:35 AM PST by strike2867
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To: Former Fetus

However, if the employees do not follow company policy, they should expect to be fired. They work at the convenience of the employer.


4 posted on 01/28/2006 8:30:00 AM PST by punster
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To: 80 Square Miles
Unfortunately, it is complicated.

Walgreen Disciplines 4 Pharmacists

A rule imposed by Gov. Rod Blagojevich in April requires Illinois pharmacies that sell contraceptives approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to fill prescriptions for emergency birth control. Pharmacies that do not fill prescriptions for any type of contraception are not required to follow the rule.

5 posted on 01/28/2006 10:35:41 AM PST by syriacus (Help plan John Kerry's Fillet-Bluster at http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/1566194/posts)
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To: punster

Precisely. This reminds me of the jokers who get an education paid for by the US Army and then suddenly discover a deep philosophical commitment to pacifism.


6 posted on 01/28/2006 3:54:46 PM PST by steve-b (A desire not to butt into other people's business is eighty percent of all human wisdom)
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To: Former Fetus

It's like Muslims suing over burkas.


7 posted on 01/28/2006 5:32:36 PM PST by MonroeDNA (Look for the union label--on the bat crashing through your windshield!)
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To: steve-b

Darn rights. If your job is to dispense drugs then sorry that's your job. If you don't like it go find a new job.

I just don't see anything else in regards to this issue.

BTW for full disclosure I also don't see the relationship between the morning after pill and abortion. They are IMHO two entirely different things. One involves an acute awareness that you are ending anothers life and the other, is akin to a birth control pill.


8 posted on 01/28/2006 5:41:21 PM PST by JNL
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To: syriacus; 80 Square Miles
The problem is that this "rule" imposed (imposed is the correct word BTW) by ijit Daley Sock-puppet, Gov. Rod Blagojevich is ILLEGAL.

Governor asshat's "rule" violates the Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act. He was informed of this illegality before he imposed his "rule", but said in effect, 'Screw you I'm the Governor, arrest me'. Which will never happen as the IL Attorney General is also a Dem who happens to be an empty headed ditz named Lisa Madigan, whose daddy is a Dem Machine powerhouse (that's how she got elected- period).

So Walgreen's IS between a rock and a hard place. If they go against the Dem Machine's 'wishes' on this (forget the law) they'd be 'screwed, blued and tattooed'. There aren't enough lawyers in the country for what they'd be put through. From Crook County on up to the State Level, they'd be Target #1.

9 posted on 01/29/2006 12:01:44 PM PST by Condor51 (Better to fight for something than live for nothing - Gen. George S. Patton)
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To: Condor51

Thanks for giving all those details about what's going on in Illinois. I appreciate your help in filling in the missing pieces.


10 posted on 01/29/2006 9:30:46 PM PST by syriacus (Help plan John Kerry's Fillet-Bluster at http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/1566194/posts)
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