Pharmacists on Plan B
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
A recent survey of 859 U.S. pharmacists reveals that 69% believe they should "have the authority to refuse filling prescriptions for emergency contraception" such as Barr Labs' Plan B. However, 37% of pharmacists feel they should also be required to refer patients to a pharmacist willing to fill the prescription. The poll, conducted Dec. 3-4 by HCD Research, was prompted by the suspension of four Walgreens pharmacists in Illinois who refused to comply with a state law mandating that pharmacists fill EC prescriptions. The retailer placed the employees on unpaid leave but offered to transfer them to Missouri where no such law exists. One pharmacist has returned after agreeing to acknowledge state law...