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Contraceptives and "Conscience Clauses"

  • 25-04-2010 3:43pm
    #1
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭


    Hello lads and lassies...

    I'm not a med/pharm student but I know someone who's doing a pharmacy internship soon. I understand that the morning-after pill was legalised here in 2001. Has there been any "conscience clause" where a pharmacist (not just a clerk) can refuse to dispense the morning-after pill - or, for that matter, the pill, contraceptive patch, and other contraceptives?

    I can imagine that 9/10 cases would result in the employee getting a kick in the rear by his or her boss (or fired). And - here comes my VP - I don't see why that should happen.

    Would appreciate an answer. :)
    Tagged:


Comments

  • #2
    bleg
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,848 ✭✭✭bleg


    The new code of conduct for pharmacists states that all action taken must be in the best interests of the patient. This makes it fairly clear to me that your own personal beliefs about how other people should live their lives are made irrelevant.


  • #3
    SomeDose
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 252 ✭✭SomeDose


    bleg wrote: »
    The new code of conduct for pharmacists states that all action taken must be in the best interests of the patient. This makes it fairly clear to me that your own personal beliefs about how other people should live their lives are made irrelevant.

    Not so. If it's the same as in the UK, then there is provision for a pharmacist to refuse to supply EHC on moral/religious grounds. This is permitted on the condition that the pharmacist refer or direct the patient to an alternative source for said medication. Like Ireland, putting patient care first is also the number one ethical obligation laid down by the RPSGB.

    I believe similar principles can also apply to medics on obs & gynae rotations, who may opt not to participate in terminations.


  • #4
    AmcD
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 246 ✭✭AmcD


    It is the same for GPs. If the GP won't provide contraception on moral grounds, they have to be able to direct the patient to somebody who will.
    In the GP practice where I work, we have a HSE agreement to provide contraception for patients of a local GP who doesn't provide it. The bizarre thing is that the HSE will not pay us for Mirena coil insertions. At present we are fighting the HSE on this one because it should not be up to the pen-pushers in the HSE as to what contraception these women can choose.


  • #5
    sam34
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,073 ✭✭✭sam34


    i remember where i went to college there were 2 college docs, one would not prescribe the morning after pill, but the other one would

    she was obliged to direct anyone needing it to teh other doc


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