Story Published:
Jul 21, 2006 at 9:59 AM PDT
Story Updated:
Aug 31, 2006 at 8:31 AM PDT
OLYMPIA - After a stern warning from Gov. Chris
Gregoire, state pharmacy regulators are reconsidering a proposal
that would allow druggists to refuse prescriptions for personal
reasons.
State Board of Pharmacy members in June endorsed a draft rule
that allowed pharmacists to refuse filling a prescription if they
have personal objections.
They changed course this week, voting in a Thursday meeting to
reconsider the draft at the board's August meeting.
"They wanted to have more discussion about the draft and decide
if they may want to make any changes based on all the feedback
they've been receiving," said Steve Saxe, the pharmacy board's
director.
Women's-rights groups say the refusal policy is aimed at
emergency contraception, the "morning-after pill" that cuts
chances of a pregnancy if taken within a few days of unprotected
sex.
Some people who oppose the pill, sold commercially as Plan B,
believe its interference with a potential pregnancy is tantamount
to abortion.
Current state pharmacy rules are not entirely clear on the
issue, which has raised controversy in other states.
Emergency contraception is available at hospitals and without a
prescription in Washington state. The Food and Drug Administration
is considering whether to make the medication available over the
counter nationwide.
The draft rule endorsed by state regulators in June says a
druggist may not "obstruct a patient in obtaining a lawfully
prescribed drug or device," but adds that pharmacists must provide
timely alternatives if they "cannot dispense" a prescription.
It does require that pharmacists "provide timely alternatives
for the patient to obtain treatment." That could include sending
the patient to another pharmacy.
The stance is preferred by the state Pharmacy Association, which
believes the draft would codify present practice.
Gregoire and women's-rights groups disagree, saying pharmacists
should not be able to refuse a prescription simply because the
druggist has a personal moral objection.
Gregoire has warned the panel to reconsider its earlier draft
rule, saying it could be overruled by lawmakers and hinting that
members could be removed if her wishes were ignored.
The board also has received about 2,400 letters and e-mails
about its June decision, with most expressing opposition, Saxe
said.
Observers on both sides of the issue applauded the board's
Thursday decision.
"I think this is a very controversial issue, a very complicated
issue and I think it merits more attention and thought," said Rod
Shafer, executive director of the Washington State Pharmacy
Association.
"We're pleased with the fact that the board didn't move forward
on a rule that the governor had very strong concerns with," said
Christina Hulet, a Gregoire policy adviser.
