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."
If a rape victim has time or priorities to shop at Target instead of going to a hospital, you have a point there.
Hello, kitty! That's when you don't have to stand in line when buying a package of rubbers! Why would anyone need them? Do you like standing in line while in heat?
Probably a girl faking being pregnant so Planned Murder could find out which pharmacy aren't cooperating.
As far as I am aware, ALL hospitals are equipped with that drug to give to rape victims.
aren't = isn't
I wish a nurse or doctor would write the paper to tell them that. The whining din of the libs over this issue is making me crazy.
Yea, I'm confused. Are we boycotting Target this week or patting them on the back? Are we still boycotting Walmart or was that just a one-day event? Does either one still have pagan stuff on their bookshelves, next to the Christmas trees, which aren't pagan any more? Since I only shop at either about once a month, these on and off boycotts are hard to follow.
"And whosoever shall scandalize one of these little ones that believe in me; it were better for him that a millstone were hanged around his neck, and he were cast into the sea."
Thus saith Our Lord.
LOL!
The left always find a way to make a one in million issue an absolutely essential issue. I have never been able to understand how anyone could choose protecting the "right" to have an abortion as a central issue in their set of personal principles. So many central leftist social issues effect such small populations that it should be laughable that anyone should be requesting that the majority be expected to change the way they live their lives and the laws governing sexual issues and reproduction just to please these extreme small groups.
That's why I decided to boycott everything!
All the libs/sewerRats claim to be "pro-choice", but the only thing they are PRO choice about is PRO-MURDERing babies.
They're against PRO-CHOICE for:
1. schools/vouchers
2. religious convictions
3. religious expression (exspecially if it's Christian)
4. military careers (i.e., campus recruiting)
5. FILL IN THE BLANK
Responsibility eliminates the need for that.
Reportedly, so do Lewinskis...
That there part of the story was a cute little fan-dance of deception. What's the word "primarily" doing in there? It's there because the reporter, who basically reprinted a Planned Parenthood press release, doesn't want the reader to know why people oppose "emergency contraception."
"Emergency contraception" = human pesticide.
It often isn't merely the sperm that dies. Specifically, this drug prevents a fertilized egg or zygote (that would be you or me, a number of years ago) from implanting and developing. So it dies, or rather, he or she dies. In other words, the drug induces an abortion. If you read the literature, you'll notice it also has a nasty habit of inducing fatal strokes in 20-year-old girls who take it.
Since PP knows most people disapprove of abortion as a means of birth control for idiots, the reporter dutifully left this fact out of the story.
Birth control pills also prevent implantation. So, much of the time, they do not prevent pregnancy, but merely kill the passenger.
It never fails to amaze me how people who claim to favor women's rights and freedom keep encouraging them to turn their bodies into toxic waste dumps.
later Good News pingout!
Now if Target lets the Salvation Army Bell Ringers come back in I just might step into their store.
Aren't they talking about the "morning after" pill?
"Plan B" is such a cynical name. It's very telling. At least they could give it one of those made up drug names like "emcompro" or something.
Emergency contraceptives are neither contraceptive, nor an emergency.
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