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Published Online, 18 July 2006, www.theannals.com, DOI 10.1345/aph.1H334c.
 The Annals of Pharmacotherapy: Vol. 40, No. 9, pp. 1697-1698. DOI 10.1345/aph.1H334c
© 2006 Harvey Whitney Books Company.
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Comment: Pharmacist Critique Was Ill-Informed

Karim Anton Calis, PharmD MPH BCPS BCNSP FASHP FCCP

Silver Spring, Maryland

Frank Pucino Jr, PharmD BCPS FASHP FDPGEC

New Market, Maryland

Scott R Penzak, PharmD

Gaithersburg, Maryland

Fredric A Lombardo, PharmD MS BCPS BCNSP BCPP BCOP CGP FASCP

Professor School of Pharmacy and College of Medicine Howard University 2300 4th Street, NW Washington, DC 20059-0001 fax 202/806-4478 flombardo{at}howard.edu

Published Online, July 18, 2006. www.theannals.com, DOI 10.1345/aph.1H334c

TO THE EDITOR: We agree, in general, with Dr. Karpa's response1 to the recent commentary in Obstetrics and Gynecology.2 The commentary by Wall and Brown reflects the authors' lack of knowledge regarding contemporary pharmacy practice. Moreover, it was fraught with countless errors and inconsistencies and appealed mostly to emotion, rather than reason. We congratulate Dr. Karpa for having the courage to assert our shared belief that life begins at the time of conception. Unfortunately, Dr. Karpa reiterates the position of many pharmacy and medical organizations, that, although pharmacists have a right to conscientious objection, they must provide "immediate referral." We respectfully disagree. Pharmacists neither are morally compelled nor legally obligated to assist with a referral except in rare circumstances when lack of one would pose immediate health risks to the individual. Such is generally not the case when pharmacists refuse to dispense oral contraceptives, "emergency" contraception, or abortifacient drugs.

Pharmacists by no means have the right to impose their own beliefs or values on others or obstruct access to legal services. Likewise, pharmacists have the right not to be coerced to participate in practices they deem morally objectionable.

References

  1. Karpa KD. Pharmacist critique was ill-informed. Ann Pharmacother 2006;40:1441-4.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  2. Wall LL, Brown D. Refusals by pharmacists to dispense emergency contraception: a critique. Obstet Gynecol 2006;107:1148-51.[Abstract/Free Full Text]




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