What do people think of this?Idaho House sends pharmacist bill to Senate?

Idaho House sends pharmacist bill to Senate
http://www.idahostatesman.com/1306/story...
Citing conscience as among the most basic rights of man and a major reason why the United States was founded, Rep. Thomas Loertscher is seeking to give pharmacists the right to exercise theirs.

Under a bill proposed by Loertscher, R-Iona, and passed by the Idaho House, a pharmacist could refuse to dispense medication or care that violates his or her conscience.

"If we don't take some action," Loertscher said, "pharmacists could be compelled to dispense."

The measure passed 48-21 Monday after more than an hour of debate and now heads to the Senate.

"Conscience is not our only right, and the right to receive medical care is a right that should not be denied by any profession," said Rep. Grant Burgoyne, D-Boise.

Many interpret the bill as a pro-life measure, intended to allow pro-choice pharmacists the freedom not to dispense Plan B, the so-called "morning after pill," an emergency contraceptive.

"Each Idahoan should have the right to plan his or her family," said Rep. Anne Pasley-Stuart, D-Boise. "Many of you have been talking about sovereignty. What is dearer to you than your families' ability to plan a family?"

Opponents say the bill is so broad that all kinds of drugs could be denied for any reason. Some pharmacists may object to end-of-life drugs to ease suffering, fertility drugs, depression drugs, animal-based insulin, HIV medications and even Viagra.

But supporters scoffed at the claims. "Name me the pharmacist that would not dispense insulin," Loertscher said. "I can't think of one. Name me the pharmacist that would not be willing to provide drugs for the elderly or dementia. I don't think there are any."

It's total BS. If you don't want to do the job, find another one. The job of the pharmacist is to dispense the prescriptions as written by the doctor, or emergency contraception without a prescription according to current law. If they can not or will not do this, they need to find another profession. It is not their place to make a judgement call on the types of meds a person is taking, no matter what personal moral stance it may touch upon.

If I have a prescription, they have to fill it. The only reason to pass this kind of bill is to create a situation where women will have to travel far and wide to find a willing pharmacist for their BC or Plan B, and the time delay that may create can mean the difference between contraception and ironically enough, the real abortion that they want to prevent. It is their hope that soon there will not be a place these women can go to get these meds at all.

But whether they like it or not, BC and Plan B are *not* abortifacents, they are contraception. And like it or not, we have the right to *not* have someone else's religions and personal ideaology forced upon us at the pharmacy.

It is ridiculous. Pharmacists are required to provide care for their patients, not to make their patients do what they feel is moral. Yes, they have a right to exercise their conscience. If they don't want to dispense any medicine that violates their morals, they do not have to continue working as a pharmacist.

If pharmacists don't want to give out medicine then they should have picked a separate career.

And I can think of a situation where a pharmacist wouldn't give out insulin: Insulin was discovered through animal research. If pharmacist is a PETA member and is opposed to animal research then they could concievably be opposed to it.

I think its utter crap. The fact that the article found a number of loopholes that could be exploited should be enough to keep this bill from passing.

But more to the point: nobody has a right to be a licensed pharmacist. If you want to be one, then I think you have to be prepared to dispense ALL drugs, regardless of their intended purpose and whether or not you agree with it. Otherwise, you need to find another job that'll protect your conscience.

If a pharmacist does not want to dispense prescriptions as written, he is free to find another job that doesn't conflict with his conscience. As it is, he's being paid for a job that involves filling prescriptions. He has no right to make decisions for other people based on *his* ideas of right and wrong. (Same for the nurse practitioner that "accidentally" pulled out women's IUDs while doing exams - "Oops, so sorry! No I won't put it back, I don't believe in them!".)

This is complete bigoted crap. Doctors and other medical workers should recommend treatments to patients that are effective and legal.

A medical worker that is not giving all treatment options is pushing their religious opinion on others. Their duty is to provide health services not moral advice!!!

Bush passed an order just like this in his last days on office. Thank GOD Obama reversed it. Bigotry is bigotry even if people "feel" they are not bigots.