Posted on 01/28/2006 7:47:23 AM PST by Former Fetus
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Four pharmacists who refused to sign a pledge promising to dispense the morning-after birth-control pill sued Walgreen drug stores Friday, alleging they were illegally fired.
The lawsuits accuse Walgreen Co. of violating the Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act. The pharmacists were being represented by the American Center for Law and Justice, a public-interest group founded by evangelist Pat Robertson.
A new state rule requires pharmacies that sell federally approved contraceptives to fill prescriptions for emergency birth control "without delay" if they have the medication in stock. The rule is being challenged in federal court.
In response to the rule, Deerfield-based Walgreen asked pharmacists to pledge in writing that they would fill prescriptions for contraceptives such as the morning-after pill. The plaintiffs were suspended indefinitely without pay when they refused to sign the pledge in November.
"It couldn't be any clearer," said ACLJ senior counsel Francis J. Manion. "In punishing these pharmacists for asserting a right protected by the Conscience Act, Walgreens broke the law."
Walgreen spokesman Michael Polzin said the company needed to ensure that its stores would comply with the new regulations regarding the dispensing of emergency contraceptives.
"We are required to follow the law. We don't have a choice in the matter," he said.
The simplest solution for Walgreens to avoid this "rock and a hard place" situation, is to not stock the drug. They are required to dispense if they have it in stock, but there appear to be no penalties if it is not in stock. But then, I've always had a simplistic view of things. It's probably not that simple.
However, if the employees do not follow company policy, they should expect to be fired. They work at the convenience of the employer.
Walgreen Disciplines 4 Pharmacists
A rule imposed by Gov. Rod Blagojevich in April requires Illinois pharmacies that sell contraceptives approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to fill prescriptions for emergency birth control. Pharmacies that do not fill prescriptions for any type of contraception are not required to follow the rule.
Precisely. This reminds me of the jokers who get an education paid for by the US Army and then suddenly discover a deep philosophical commitment to pacifism.
It's like Muslims suing over burkas.
Darn rights. If your job is to dispense drugs then sorry that's your job. If you don't like it go find a new job.
I just don't see anything else in regards to this issue.
BTW for full disclosure I also don't see the relationship between the morning after pill and abortion. They are IMHO two entirely different things. One involves an acute awareness that you are ending anothers life and the other, is akin to a birth control pill.
Governor asshat's "rule" violates the Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act. He was informed of this illegality before he imposed his "rule", but said in effect, 'Screw you I'm the Governor, arrest me'. Which will never happen as the IL Attorney General is also a Dem who happens to be an empty headed ditz named Lisa Madigan, whose daddy is a Dem Machine powerhouse (that's how she got elected- period).
So Walgreen's IS between a rock and a hard place. If they go against the Dem Machine's 'wishes' on this (forget the law) they'd be 'screwed, blued and tattooed'. There aren't enough lawyers in the country for what they'd be put through. From Crook County on up to the State Level, they'd be Target #1.
Thanks for giving all those details about what's going on in Illinois. I appreciate your help in filling in the missing pieces.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.