Pharmacists Refusing to Sell Emergency Contraceptives

In Washington State, this is an issue that just won't fuckin’ DIE! Since Washington is one of the most liberal states in the country, this situation is probably worse in most other states.

Plan B is the name of the emergency birth control pill. It’s basically just a much much stronger version of the regular birth control pill. If taken within 72 hours after having sex, this pill prevents pregnancy. For rape and incest victims, this is a Godsend.

There have been quite a few cases where a devout Godfearing pharmacist (who obviously chose the wrong profession) expresses his devotion to Jesus by refusing to sell Plan B. This refusal is often accompanied by a sermon.

In Washington, the State Board of Pharmacy was about to pass a statewide regulation that would allow pharmacists to listen to their “moral” values by refusing to sell Plan B. Governor Christine Gregoire stepped in. She threatened to replace every member of the Board of Pharmacy if they didn’t require pharmacists to do their jobs (i.e. honor all valid prescriptions and leave their bigotry at home). The Board of Pharmacy complied. Case closed, right?

But then, U.S. District Judge Ronald Leighton ruled that pharmacists’ religious freedoms were being violated. Pharmacists are once again free to turn away those wayward sluts who come in whining about birth control pills. And for some odd reason, conservatives didn’t go into their usual spewage about “activist judges” “legislating from the bench.”

Jim Ramseth is a local Biblehumping snakehandler pharmacist who just about drooled with glee at the court ruling. “BWAAHAAHAAHAA!! Those icky sluts will have to pay for their sins. Praise Jesus! Those wretched whores need to get burned at the stake Wow. This is big for our profession. We are professionals that use our whole ethical being to make our decisions. They could force you to dispense Plan B. If our freedom of religion or conscience is prohibited, that's against what our country was built on.”

How's this for irony: the Far Right has suddenly discovered workers’ rights. LOL. Hell has frozen over and pigs are flying.

Child laborers who work in sweatshops 18 hours a day — tough shit. People who work in dangerous conditions, are grossly underpaid, or get unjustly fired — pull yourself up by your bootstraps! But a pharmacist who has to put aside his “moral” “Christian” values and sell birth control pills to every trollop who darkens his doorway — NOOOO!!!!! This oppressed worker needs our help!

Here is a forum on this subject — some interesting comments.


cross-posted at Bring It On!

Washington State Enters the 21st Century

Washington may be a liberal state, but it still has its share of mouthbreathing dimwits. You know the type — they think a vegetarian who works at Burger King should be allowed to refuse to serve hamburgers. I think that was it. Oh, I remember now: a pharmacist who doesn’t believe in birth control should be able to refuse to fill a birth control prescription.

This seems like the no-brainer of the week, but the Washington State Board of Pharmacy has ruled unanimously that drug stores have a duty to fill all lawful prescriptions. Period. This includes Plan B, the emergency contraception pill. Any individual pharmacists or drug stores that violate these rules could have their licenses revoked.

A woman from Planned Parenthood said the ruling “ensures that men and women will have access to their health care.”

And now, equal time for the bookburning crowd: A spokesman for Human Life Washington said “I don’t think pharmacists who adhere to traditional moral precepts are going to allow their conscience to be overrun by the Board of Pharmacy.” Or maybe these “moral” pharmacists could find another job that doesn’t clash with their religious beliefs.

“Human Life Washington” — LOL. If there was a truth-in-labeling law for political groups, they'd have to call themselves Human Fetus Washington or Unborn Life Washington. If you're in the mood for a good laugh, check out their website.