Should pharmacists be able to choose?

[Rapunzel]

Regarding what Kris said about morality not belonging in business:

I think morality plays into every aspect of life. I don't know too many amoral people (well, come to think of it my husband works with some - such as the attending I mentioned in the "Call Room" ). And, those people tend to be, well, repulsive (or sociopaths). I think most people have some sort of personal ethical "code" and they should abide by it - it's the definition of integrity which I think is the most important characteristic a person may have. Now, you might not agree with that person's ethical standards but it doesn't mean those ethical standards shouldn't exist. There's no reason a person should attempt to divorce themselves from their personal ethics in a situation - to do so compromises their integrity.

And, I might add, to do so could also compromise their 1st Ammendment rights in a legal sense. I find it interesting that many will defend such practices as flag burning and pornography based up on the 1st Ammendment (and, heaven forbid, we wouldn't want to compromise the flag burners' or pornographers' ethical standards) but if someone decides to practice their ethical standard in a more religious manner (such as declining to participate in certain business actions due to religious moral principles) suddenly the world is blown apart. It's a double standard.

Jennifer

[SuzySunshine]

Jennifer, very well said.

[Meenah]

A pharmacist has a license, same as an MD or RN. There is a responsibility.
Luanne

[HeartRN]

I agree, Luanne....I didn't necessarily agree with how a 91 year old patient was treated in our unit a couple weeks back following open heart surgery (she was on continuous dialysis!), but I still carried out the actions necessary for her care. I don't always enjoy taking care of the drunk driver who killed his innocent best friend, but I still do it, and I don't withhold any aspect of care (they still get the same quality care any other patient would get). Interestingly, these most challenging patients I care for wind up being the cases from which I learn and grow the most.

The nursing code of ethics and standard of practice/care delivery sounds very similar to those of pharmacists: You act in the best interest of your patient, mindful of their autonomy, dignity and their personal and cultural differences. IMO, if you are so morally/ethically torn by filling a Rx you don't agree with, perhaps you should rethink your career choice! Ethical dilemmas are a part of nearly every career, ESPECIALLY healthcare careers. Fill the Rx and ponder upon the ethics/morals when you get home!

[SueC]

I wondered when this issue was going to pop up on here, and I'm a little bummed that I was sick when most of the dialogue took place.
I agree that pharmacists shouldn't be allowed to fill or not fill prescriptions based on their religious or moral beliefs. If a doctor wrote the script, I think they should fill it. I used to help rehab patients who were gang members and drug dealers (inner city not for profit rehab center). Did I agree with their career choice? (which led to their demise)--absolutely not! Did I treat them like any other patient and try my darndest to get them as close to how they were before their injury so they could go back out into the world and do God knows what? Of course I did! I think in healthcare your own moral beliefs should not interfere with the treatment of your patients.

And, I might add, to do so could also compromise their 1st Ammendment rights in a legal sense. I find it interesting that many will defend such practices as flag burning and pornography based up on the 1st Ammendment (and, heaven forbid, we wouldn't want to compromise the flag burners' or pornographers' ethical standards) but if someone decides to practice their ethical standard in a more religious manner (such as declining to participate in certain business actions due to religious moral principles) suddenly the world is blown apart. It's a double standard.

Jennifer[/quote]
To me the difference is that with one situation you are in a position of power (and are the sole field that can provide a person with that service) and you choose to decide the course of others lives by imposing your religious beliefs onto them. In the 1st ammendment issues you aren't affecting others lives with your action.
If my religion said that cows are sacred I wouldn't work in a restaurant and refuse to serve burgers. If my religion refused blood products, I wouldn't be a surgeon and refuse blood to all of my patients. People who don't want to fill scripts should considered a profession that doesn't involve that decision.

[Meenah]

Hello Smiley 2, welcome. Please introduce yourself
Luanne

[smiley]

I just put my information in the introduction forum for anyone interested. It is listed as smiley though, because I couldn't log in properly before.

[Rapunzel]

To me the difference is that with one situation you are in a position of power (and are the sole field that can provide a person with that service) and you choose to decide the course of others lives by imposing your religious beliefs onto them. In the 1st ammendment issues you aren't affecting others lives with your action.
If my religion said that cows are sacred I wouldn't work in a restaurant and refuse to serve burgers. If my religion refused blood products, I wouldn't be a surgeon and refuse blood to all of my patients. People who don't want to fill scripts should considered a profession that doesn't involve that decision.

Hmmmm.... Well, I agree to some extent. Although encouraged to become a bartender in college I didn't go into that line of work because I don't drink and my religious beliefs are very strict concerning the drinking of alcoholic beverages.

However, birth control prescriptions are NOT what being a pharmacist is entirely about. Same thing with abortion - it's not the definition of work for the majority of obstetricians (and, a physician in my church cannot perform an elective abortion without medical reason for example - but we have LOTS of obstetricians who are members of my faith ). Pharmacists are in a "position of power" just as hardware store owners are - they can refuse business to anyone they so desire within legal bounds. If you don't get the service you want from a pharmacist it's your perogative to take your business (ie your prescriptions) elsewhere. The pharmacist runs the risk of losing profits by his decision but that is also his perogative.

Jennifer