We are open to all kinds of art, opinions, poems or comments as long as we are civil and respectful with each other.
“Disrespectful or lewd comments will be erased. Persistent unprofessional behavior will not be tolerated, and the person will be blocked from participation for an indeterminant amount of time”
Jury Sides with Pharmacist Who Refused to Dispense Morning After Pill
Jury Sides with Pharmacist Who Refused to Dispense Morning After Pill
A Minnesota jury ruled last Friday that a pharmacist who refused to fill a prescription for a morning-after pill because of his own personal and religious beliefs did not violate the civil rights of his female patient, according to a report from NBC News.
Andrea Anderson, a patient living in a small town in Minnesota, filed a civil lawsuit against pharmacist George Badeaux in 2019, after she said she was forced to travel 100 miles round-trip to fill her prescription for an emergency contraceptive. Badeaux, who worked at the only pharmacy in town, refused to fill Anderson's prescription because it would violate his beliefs, so Anderson had to drive for hours in the middle of a snowstorm to obtain her medication, her complaint stated.
"I can't help but wonder about the other women who may be turned away," Anderson said in a statement in response to the ruling. "What if they accept the pharmacist's decision and don't realize that this behavior is wrong? What if they have no other choice? Not everyone has the means or ability to drive hundreds of miles to get a prescription filled."
Although the jury ruled that Badeaux did not violate Anderson's civil rights, they decided that his actions did inflict emotional harm and that Anderson is entitled to $25,000 in damages.
Badeaux's lawyer, however, says it's unlikely that she will receive any money because the jury did not find that he discriminated against Anderson on the basis of sex.
"We are incredibly happy with the jury's decision," attorney Charles Shreffler said in a statement. "Medical professionals should be free to practice their professions in line with their beliefs."
- Amanda D'Ambrosio is a reporter on MedPage Today’s enterprise & investigative team. She covers obstetrics-gynecology and other clinical news, and writes features about the U.S. healthcare system.
What is your opinion about this situation?
(So that everyone in on the same page: The definition of abortion is the interruption of a pregnancy. Pregnancies begin with implantation. Contraception stops implantation before it happens. There are types of “contraception” that are both contraceptives as well as abortifacients).
Confidentiality is crucial in healthcare settings as it fosters trust between patients and healthcare providers. It ensures that sensitive information remains private, promoting open communication and informed decision-making.