After several months of deliberations, the Washington State Board of Pharmacy unanimously voted on June 1st in favor of a proposed rule concerning pharmacists' professional responsibilities that included a process allowing pharmacists to follow their consciences.  The Board was to receive public comments on the proposal at a hearing on August 31, 2006.  However, under pressure from opponents of a conscience clause, Board members, at their July 20th meeting, agreed to review and possibly revise the already accepted proposed rule.

The proposed rule did not specifically mention the issue of whether pharmacists have the right to follow their consciences and not dispense a medication or device to which they object for religious or moral reasons, but it was written broadly enough to allow it. While for some people the primary issue is the availability of Plan B, a "morning after" pill, the Board of Pharmacy is dealing with broader issues. Pharmacy stocking requirements and patient safety are also issues.

Consumers understand that pharmacies cannot stock all drugs.  For financial reasons, pharmacies could not possibly stock all medications for the same reason that shoe stores could not possibly carry every size and style of shoe available on the market.  However, pharmacies do carry those drugs that people in their community customarily request. The proposed rule considered by the Board of Pharmacy stated that a pharmacist must provide timely alternatives for a patient to receive treatment, if the pharmacist cannot dispense a lawfully prescribed drug or device. 

Pharmacists on the Board repeatedly spoke of their professional duty to provide optimal pharmaceutical care to ensure the health and well being of the individual patient as well as of the general public.  They reiterated that it is in the public's best interest for pharmacists to consult with their patients to ensure safe and appropriate medication therapy. 

Click here to make your views known to the State Board of Pharmacy and the Governor.

To read the Washington State Bishops' statement, "Conscience and Pharmacists' Responsibilities," click (here for MS Word.doc). (here for pdf file).

For additional information, please visit the website "Human Right to Conscience" at http://www.humanrighttoconscience.com/index.html