BACKGROUND: The Washington State Board of Pharmacy, at its March 29, 2007 meeting in Renton, held a public hearing on its proposal for adopting a rule addressing the issue of client access to medications.  There has been a tremendous amount of activity, both from those who are opposing the adoption of the proposed language and from those who want to force pharmacists to fill all prescriptions.  More than 200 people attended the meeting and more than 85 testified (click here for WSCC testimony).

A vote on the proposed rule change was postponed until the Board of Pharmacy’s next regularly scheduled meeting, April 12th. 

The right of pharmacists in Washington State to follow their conscience when asked to dispense certain medications is the subject of the new proposed rule.  The focus of the issue at this time is the right of pharmacists to follow their consciences when asked to dispense Plan B drugs, the so-called “morning after” pills, that are contraceptives, but in some cases may induce abortion by preventing implantation.

POSITION: The Church opposes the sale of any drug that would induce an abortion, and supports pharmacists who uphold their right to act according to the dictates of their conscience when asked to dispense such drugs.