Pharmacies, Pharmacists, and Conscientious Objection

This paper examines the obligations of pharmacy licensees and pharmacists in the context of conscience-based objections to filling lawful prescriptions for certain types of medications--e.g., standard and emergency contraceptives. Claims of conscience are analyzed as means to preserve or maintain an...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Kennedy Institute of Ethics journal 2006-09, Vol.16 (3), p.225-250
Main Author: Wicclair, Mark R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bioethics
Birth control
Codes of Ethics
Conscience
Contraceptives, Postcoital - supply & distribution
Drug Prescriptions
Drug stores
Employment - ethics
Ethics
Ethics, Professional
FDA approval
Female
Humans
Independent drug stores
Legal aspects
Legal status, laws, etc
Medical ethics
Moral and religious aspects
Pharmaceuticals
Pharmacies - ethics
Pharmacies - legislation & jurisprudence
Pharmacists
Pharmacists - ethics
Pharmacy
Pregnancy
Professional responsibilities
Public health
Refusal to Treat - ethics
Regulatory agencies
Self esteem
Social Responsibility
United States
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Summary:This paper examines the obligations of pharmacy licensees and pharmacists in the context of conscience-based objections to filling lawful prescriptions for certain types of medications--e.g., standard and emergency contraceptives. Claims of conscience are analyzed as means to preserve or maintain an individual's moral integrity. It is argued that pharmacy licensees have an obligation to dispense prescription medications that satisfy the health needs of the populations they serve, and this obligation can override claims of conscience. Although efforts should be made to respect the moral integrity of pharmacists and accommodate their claims of conscience, it is argued that the health needs of patients and the professional obligations of pharmacists limit the extent to which pharmacists may refuse to assist patients who have lawful prescriptions for medically indicated drugs.
ISSN:1054-6863
1086-3249
1086-3249
DOI:10.1353/ken.2006.0020