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Science 10 June 2005:
Vol. 308. no. 5728, pp. 1557 - 1558
DOI: 10.1126/science.1114466
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Policy Forum

PUBLIC HEALTH:
Pharmacist Refusals: A Threat to Women's Health

Marcia D. Greenberger and Rachel Vogelstein

Pharmacist refusals to dispense--and in some cases to refer or transfer--prescriptions for contraception threaten women's access to basic health care both in the United States and around the world. In the United States, this problem appears to be growing; increasing reports of pharmacist refusals have surfaced in the media, and numerous states have introduced bills that would amend pharmacy codes to permit pharmacists to refuse to dispense contraception. This Policy Forum reviews current legal standards and professional ethics that govern the practice of pharmacy; this review, together with an assessment of the harm to women's health, dictates that women must have access to contraception at the pharmacy without delay, harassment, or other interference.

The authors are with the National Women's Law Center, Washington, DC 20036, USA. For correspondence, e-mail: rlaser{at}nwlc.org

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E-Letters:

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Can't Judge an Indication by the Prescription
Rebekah J Jakel
Science Online, 17 Jun 2005 [Full text]

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