Pharmacist refuses morning-after-pill over religious beliefs

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Also Included In: Sexual Health / STDs
Article Date: 29 Nov 2004 - 10:00 PDT

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A UK pharmacist has refused to sell the morning-after-pill to a woman customer, citing his Catholic beliefs.

The woman, a 24-year-old mother of two, said she was furious and had been forced to attend an NHS walk-in-clinic to obtain the pill.

"Everyone is entitled to an opinion but I don't want someone making a decision like this for me," she told the Daily Mirror. "It is available to buy so I had the right to buy it. It's irresponsible of the pharmacy not to have someone there who is able to serve it."

Kerrie Gooch reportedly plans to sue if she falls pregnant after the condom she and her long-term partner, aged 22, were using split. Ms Gooch went to Lloyds Pharmacy in Abbey Meads, Swindon, where the pharmacist refused to dispense the pill because of his views on contraception. She then had to attend an NHS clinic as there was no other pharmacist on hand at that time to dispense the pill.

Lloyds, which has 1,363 outlets nationwide, has defended its employee, pointing out that the industry's code of conduct states that he can refuse to dispense on religious grounds as long as he suggests an alternative pharmacist.

Andy Murdock, Lloyds' pharmacy director, said: "He objected on religious grounds, which he is fully within his rights to do. Another member of staff, and a supervisor, had lengthy discussions with Ms Gooch and partner. They were given advice as to alternative sources."
http://www.hda-online.org.uk

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