Court overturns conscience protection for pharmacists
July 28, 2015
Overturning a lower court decision, a three-judge panel of the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the State of Washington may compel pharmacies to dispense the morning-after pill, which may work as a contraceptive (by preventing fertilization) or as an abortifacient (by preventing the implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterine wall).
"Speed is particularly important considering the time-sensitive nature of emergency contraception and of many other medications," Judge Susan Graber wrote. "The time taken to travel to another pharmacy, especially in rural areas where pharmacies are sparse, may reduce the efficacy of those drugs."
"Additionally, testimony at trial demonstrated how facilitated referrals could lead to feelings of shame in the patient that could dissuade her from obtaining emergency contraception altogether," she added.
"This unanimous decision is a major victory for the people of Washington,” said Bob Ferguson, the state's attorney general.
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Posted by: Faustina01 -
Jul. 28, 2015 11:10 PM ET USA
Interesting how the judge neglected to consider the feeling of shame for the pharmacist. No religious OR civil rights for men or anyone when they stand in the way of killing babies, which seems to be the Number 1 concern for American women, as the millions of abortions prove....
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Posted by: rpp -
Jul. 28, 2015 5:39 PM ET USA
So now there is a religious test for anyone wishing a particular type of secular job that is normally a noble and and morally positive profession.
