eckerds refuses morning after pill to rape victim

[guster girl]

Hey, I'm not going to be shopping at Eckerd's again any time soon. This article says disciplinary action has been taken, but, as far as I've heard from other sources, this particular pharmacist still has a job. Read this....

http://www.kltv.com/Global/story.asp?S=1628793

[CathyBogart]

Ugh, people disgust me.

[guster girl]

I know! Even as a patron I know that you can't refuse someone's prescription based on your own personal beliefs. I can't believe he would do that. Don't work at a pharmacy that carries that product if you feel that strongly about it. I can't even imagine what that must have made the woman feel like, especially after having already gone through sexual assault. I understand having compassion for the unborn baby, but, what about for the woman standing in front of you? She didn't choose the situation, either. I mean, it's different if it's just because "oops, I didn't mean to do that".... but, this woman was raped. Ugh. Anyway, it just made me so mad! And, this was right here, too. Denton is only about thirty minutes from where I'm at. I've never personally liked Eckerd's anyway, they're so expensive, but, this definitely seals the deal for me. I just really thought I'd let people know about it.

[dukedogsmom]

That is ridiculous! I can't stand people that get all high and mighty with their beliefs and make no exception for anything. He wouldn't get pregnant but I wonder how he would feel if he got raped? I'm sure his opinion would change dramatically.

[ramanth]

What an A@#$%! Cripes, Birth Control is designed to prevent life from even happening. Some devout Catholics believe that any birth control method is immoral. So what... Eckards is going to now start denying condom sales? For crying out loud.... I think that pharmasist should lose his job. She had a perscription and to tell her that after what she went through? Oh I'd be royally pissed.....

[lovemyshiba]

I heard about this from someone at work.
And I agree, if you don't like what your pharmacy sells, get another job. There are many things pharmacists can do, but in some areas retail is where they make the most money.


If this girl had a prescription for something, it is his job to fill it.
What if a child had a bad infection of some sort, and he didn't "believe" in antibiotics?" I know it's not the same, but he's an idiot.

I wonder if he fills prescriptions for birth control??

[moosmom]

Don't pharmacists take an OATH of some kind just like doctors???? My grandpa was a pharmacist, and one of the best at that!! What this guy did was wrong. He is there to do a job and he didn't. So I think he should lose his job!!

[guster girl]

I totally agree that he shouldn't be kept at Eckerd's. Or maybe even as a pharmacist. But, most assuredly not at a pharmacy that sells those products. My friend also said she had a bad experience with an eckerd's pharmacist, too. Where she went in to get her birth control prescription filled and there were several other patients waiting as well. when the pharmacist came back with her pills, he YELLED out that her BIRTH CONTOL PILLS were ready. She was so embarassed. Hello, privacy, buddy. I can't even imagine. I mean, I personally wouldn't be too embarassed, but, it's the priciple of it.

[popcornbird]

Why is he working at a pharmacy if he's going to deny people their products. Sheesh........What a jerk. :rolleyes:

[Kfamr]

Originally posted by popcornbird
Why is he working at a pharmacy if he's going to deny people their products. Sheesh........What a jerk. :rolleyes:


Ditto!

I don't think ( or I assume) Eckerds really doesn't have anything to do with it... just this pharmacists. But, I do think he should be fired, which is on Eckerd's part.

[guster girl]

That's what I'm upset about, more than anything. I mean, you can lay down rules and try to hire people that will follow them, but, someone is bound to break them at some point. I mean, for some things, a slap on the wrist would be enough. But, think about it this way, if he had stolen a six pack of soda or something, he probably would've gotten fired. But, so far, all I've heard is "disciplinary action has been taken". Has he been fired? Doesn't seem like it, and, I won't step foot into an Eckerd's again until he has been. Even if it just means saving face on their part, he should not be allowed to work there. Who's to say he won't turn someone else down? And, then what?

[Tonya]

What an idiot! If it's against your morals, then you are in the wrong business!

I went to a doctor appointment once for birth control. My doc informed me that birth control was against his religion, that it was the same as abortion, so he couldn't give it to me. He then gave me a religious pamphlet on the rythm method. I was ticked because I'd taken a day off of work for that.

[CathyBogart]

The worst part is...Can you imagine the added humiliation? She had just suffered the worst degredation I can think of, and then she had to face some @**hat telling her off for something she couldn't control and wanted to forget. :( :(

I've never heard of Eckard's before this, but I'll never be setting foot in one.

[ramanth]

Originally posted by Tonya
I went to a doctor appointment once for birth control. My doc informed me that birth control was against his religion, that it was the same as abortion, so he couldn't give it to me. He then gave me a religious pamphlet on the rythm method. I was ticked because I'd taken a day off of work for that.
Tonya, that is so WRONG! Doctors are doctors for reasons. If he wanted to preach about religion he should of become a pastor or minister, or whatever!

I'd of walked right out of the office, found a new doctor, and wrote a letter to the old doc about never referring any patients to him. *is fuming*

[micki76]

Originally posted by ramanth
Tonya, that is so WRONG! Doctors are doctors for reasons. If he wanted to preach about religion he should of become a pastor or minister, or whatever!

I'd of walked right out of the office, found a new doctor, and wrote a letter to the old doc about never referring any patients to him. *is fuming*

Well, actually this is still America and he can still practice his religion and is entitled to his beliefs. Just because he's a doctor doesn't mean he has to compromise his personal principles, especially if he's private practice which means it's his office and he can choose to do as he personally sees fit.

I do think though, that if you called for an appointment and said you wanted birth control, they should have told you about the Dr's practices, and that he wouldn't prescribe anything.

[Cataholic]

Well, Micki, playing the devil's advocate...does that mean if his religious beliefs meant no antibiotics for a bladder infection, or no innoculations, then, that is okay, too? I agree with Kimmy. He practices medicene and owes, first, his obligation to his client to do no harm, then, follow accepted medical practices. His religious beliefs do not belong in the office.

[CathyBogart]

I disagree. That was completely unprofessional of him, and shouldn't have been allowed. Generally the doctor knows ahead of time what you're coming in for unless it's an emergency, so Tonya shouldn't have been sent to him.

[micki76]

Originally posted by Cataholic
Well, Micki, playing the devil's advocate...does that mean if his religious beliefs meant no antibiotics for a bladder infection, or no innoculations, then, that is okay, too? I agree with Kimmy. He practices medicene and owes, first, his obligation to his client to do no harm, then, follow accepted medical practices. His religious beliefs do not belong in the office.


Yes actually, I think it is ok IF clients are made aware of the type of medical office it is, and what they do and do not do. I know I always have to tell my Dr why I need to come in and if it's something the Dr doesn't do or believe in, then the client should be told. If the Dr doesn't believe in something due to religious reasons (or any other reason, I mean this is HIS privately owned business) then he has no obligation to prescribe or administer those medications, treatments, or surgeries.

Still America regardless of whether you’re a Dr or not. I believe Dr’s are still protected under the constitution?

Edited to add that I don't agree with what the pharmacist did. He was acting as an employee of Eckerd's and should have dispensed the medication if it was available. Totally different scenario IMO.

[lovemyshiba]

Apparently, this pharmacist and 2 others have been terminated:
http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/Southwest/02/12/pharmacy.firing.ap/index.html

[lizbud]

lovemyshiba,

I read that today & was so glad some action was taken by
the drugstore chain.:)

[Tonya]

Originally posted by micki76
I do think though, that if you called for an appointment and said you wanted birth control, they should have told you about the Dr's practices, and that he wouldn't prescribe anything.

Exactly. The least he could have done is referred me to another Dr ahead of time. I respect him for standing up for his beliefs; but don't inconvenience me in the process.

[CathyBogart]

In case anyone here still believes that it does, EC does NOT cause abortion, in fact it will NOT work if you're already preggo. So this guy refused her over something that's complete bunk.


http://ec.princeton.edu/questions/ecabt.html

No, use of emergency contraception does not cause an abortion. In fact, emergency contraception prevents pregnancy and thereby reduces the need for induced abortion. Medical authorities such as the United States Food and Drug Administration/National Institutes of Health and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists define the beginning of pregnancy as the implantation of a fertilized egg in the lining of a woman's uterus. Implantation begins five to seven days after fertilization (and is completed several days later). Emergency contraceptives work before implantation and not after a woman is already pregnant. Depending on the time during the menstrual cycle that they are taken, ECPs may inhibit or delay ovulation, inhibit tubal transport of the egg or sperm, interfere with fertilization, or alter the endometrium (the lining of the uterus), thereby inhibiting implantation of a fertilized egg. The copper in copper-T IUDs can prevent sperm from fertilizing an egg and can also alter the endometrium, thereby inhibiting implantation of a fertilized egg. When a woman is already pregnant, emergency contraception does not work. Emergency contraception is also harmless to the fetus and the mother.