No Freedom of Conscience for Pharmacists Says Bill Passed by New Jersey Legislature

LifeSiteNews.com ^ | June 12, 2007 | John Jalsevac

[monomaniac]

Explicitly prohibits not filling prescription "due to sincerely held moral, philosophical or religious beliefs”

By John Jalsevac

TRENTON, N.J., June 12, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A bill passed yesterday by the New Jersey legislature requires pharmacists to fill all prescriptions, even if doing so violates the religious or personal beliefs of the pharmacist.

The bill passed with a vote of 56-18. Currently it only awaits the signature of Gov. Jon Corzine in order to become law, as it was already passed by the Senate last June.

The official text of the bill reads: “A pharmacy practice site has a duty to properly fill lawful prescriptions for prescription drugs or devices that it carries for customers, without undue delay, despite any conflicts of employees to filling a prescription and dispensing a particular prescription drug or device due to sincerely held moral, philosophical or religious beliefs.”

The legislation also ensures that pharmacists are unable to escape the issue by not stocking controversial drugs—as some pharmacists have done in other states—by specifying that if a pharmacy does not have the prescribed drug or device in stock, then the pharmacy must either order the drug or device for the patient, or refer the patient to another pharmacy that is able to fill the prescription.

Assemblywoman Linda Stender (D-Union), who introduced the bill, defended the piece of legislation saying, “Democracy guarantees us the right to hold our own moral or religious beliefs, but under no circumstances should a pharmacist’s personal beliefs impede a patient’s ability to obtain their prescribed medicines…For any pharmacists to knowingly prevent access to health care is almost unconscionable.”

The bill has received the most opposition from pro-life and religious groups, who are concerned in particular that pharmacists will be required to prescribe drugs, such as the so-called “Morning After Pill,” that cause abortions. Marie Tasy, the legislative affairs director for New Jersey Right to Life condemned the bill as discriminatory. “It discriminates against pharmacists,” said Tasy. “It says if you have religious beliefs, you need not apply.”

Assemblyman John Rooney was also opposed to the bill on the grounds of religious freedom. “We should not be telling people they do not have a right to practice their religion,” said Rooney according to The Star-Ledger.

The legislation does not make it clear what the penalty will be for pharmacists who choose to follow their consciences in refusing to dispense certain drugs or devices. In other states pharmacists who have violated similar legislation have lost their jobs and/or faced stiff fines.

See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:

Target Pharmacist Fired for Refusing to Dispense Abortifacient Morning-After Pill http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/jan/06012703.html

Walgreens Disciplines Four Pharmacists for Refusing Abortifacient Morning-After Pill Prescriptions http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/dec/05120102.html

Illinois Governor Mandates Pharmacists Dispense Abortion Causing Morning-After Pills or Face Consequence http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/apr/05041203.html

Wisconsin Judge Wants Punishment for Catholic Pharmacist http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/mar/05030209.html

Wisconsin Files Complaint Against Pharmacist For Refusing Abortifacient Prescription http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2004/mar/04031608.html

Christian Pharmacist Still Fighting Charge of Unprofessional Conduct over Contraceptives http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2004/sep/04092904.html

[LouAvul]

Yet another illustration of the totalitarian socialist regime masquerading itself as liberals.

How long are we going to put up with it?

[tdewey10]

And from the press a deafening silence.

[Mikey_1962]

I was a Pharmacist in several Pharmacies that refused to stock Dilaudid, Demerol, Desoxyn (Methamphetamine) and several other of abuse. We always said that we were “out of stock”.

So now incorrect inventories will be a crime? Micromanaging twits.

I am so glad I left the profession...

[rawcatslyentist]

SO the educated cannot refuse to assist in the murder of the unborn. Yet the uneducated (IE Slimes aka slaves of satanallah) can refuse to give a ride to a blind person and their guide dog.

We need to send CAIR, the ACLU, and the UN packing!!!! YESTERDAY!!!

[goodnesswins]

HA....we’re the HOST, they’re the leech, or whatever you call them...

[Secret Agent Man]

Why are you surprised - I bet many of them go the pharmacy regularly for their RU-486 and morning after pills.

[mimaw]

Maybe thats a good thing.

[hunter112]

Hopefully, the private pharmacists who oppose being told what to stock will collectively “go on vacation” for a month or two to show the citizens of New Jersey what life would be like if they just up and closed.

[JasonC]

Just don't pay any attention to their ridiculous demands. No jury is going to defend them.

[Lancey Howard]

Har! That's New Jersey for you!

[SoldierMedic]

The legislation also ensures that pharmacists are unable to escape the issue by not stocking controversial drugs—as some pharmacists have done in other states—by specifying that if a pharmacy does not have the prescribed drug or device in stock, then the pharmacy must either order the drug or device for the patient, or refer the patient to another pharmacy that is able to fill the prescription.

You're being kind of misleading. They still don't have to give the patient the med if they so choose, they just need to refer them someplace else.

[the808bass]

You're being kind of misleading.

Yeah, if the common sense reading of this report is correct, it wouldn't be that big of an issue. "We don't stock that product, but Joe's Drug on 5th street does." End of story.

[SoldierMedic]

I wonder if these same pharmicists also refuse to dispense the regular birth control pill. Plan B is basically a higher dose of the birth control pill, making the two almost the exact same thing. If the main argument is that the Plan B (Morning after pill) stops the fertilized egg from implanting into the uterine wall, than what do you think normal birth control does? It does the exact same thing!

[Secret Agent Man]

Yes but to someone who considers this murdering someone, this is still immoral to refer them to someone who will help them (assist them) in their wishes to murder an unborn child.

It is being a willing accomplice, effectively.