pharmacists refusing requests

[sArA]

I don't think it is up to the assistant to judge whether or not to dispense a drug on moral or religious grounds. Its rather like saying to a gay man with Aids that he can't have his drugs as they don't approve of their lifestyle for whatever reason. Another example is the refusal to allow a patient to have their insulin (derived from pig pancreas) for religious reasons.

In a secular and apparently democratic society, surely it is not appropriate for individuals to make moral judgements based on personal religious grounds.

[Snee]

Hmm, I don't know about the UK, but here you need a license to sell drugs, and an education in the medical field, and all of it is sanctioned and in part controlled by the government.

So for someone to not fulfil their duty the way that person did would get them in trouble here, and rightly so.

nvm the last part tho'.

[bigboab]

Yes, but they have no such obligation.

A doctor may make a prescription, but no independent business has any obligation to fulfill it.

In the UK failing to obligate a doctors prescription could result in the loss of your Licence to supply doctors prescriptions. This is not a private matter and is controlled by a Government Department.

[hobbes]

In the Uk at least they would need to abide by certain laws and conditions set out in their license.

i would not like to say what the case is in the USA as it is a minefield when it comes to differing state laws.

Vidcc,

There are "pharmacies" that only provide Chinese herbal remedies. They are not required to carry anything else.

No one is forced to sell anything unless they are subsidized to do so.

[hobbes]

In the UK failing to obligate a doctors prescription could result in the loss of your Licence to supply doctors prescriptions. This is not a private matter and is controlled by a Government Department.

Well, the US is not the UK. To me, in a free market system, no individual should feel compelled to dispense what he does not seem fit.

[bigboab]

Vidcc,

There are "pharmacies" that only provide Chinese herbal remedies. They are not required to carry anything else.

No one is forced to sell anything unless they are subsidized to do so.

They have these in the UK too. They are regarded as 'Cranks' by the majority of people. Doctors will not/can not issue prescriptions for these places as they are not licenced.

[vidcc]

Vidcc,

There are "pharmacies" that only provide Chinese herbal remedies. They are not required to carry anything else.

No one is forced to sell anything unless they are subsidized to do so.

But this is a Uk pharmacy licensed under government control. A herbal remedy pharmacy would not require a license as it is considered an "alternative" remedy and would not be subject to prescription. Herbal pharmacies would come under "foods"
The Uk pharmacy operates with certain very different practices to American ones.

[hobbes]

They have these in the UK too. They are regarded as 'Cranks' by the majority of people. Doctors will not/can not issue prescriptions for these places as they are not licenced.

So what, they are still a "pharmacy"

That is the point.

A pharmacy is not what you want them to dispense, but more what they wish to offer.

[Snee]

Well, the US is not the UK. To me, in a free market system, no individual should feel compelled to dispense what he does not seem fit.

That's fine in theory, as long has no one has to suffer for it.

However, I think a certain amount of control over licensed businesses is a good thing, that way we are sure to get the medicines we need when we need them, and anyone who doesn't like to sell them can go peddle ginseng and omega 3 to their heart's content.

[hobbes]

But this is a Uk pharmacy licensed under government control. A herbal remedy pharmacy would not require a license as it is considered an "alternative" remedy and would not be subject to prescription. Herbal pharmacies would come under "foods"
The Uk pharmacy operates with certain very different practices to American ones.

A pharmacy can offer the approved drugs, but it has no obligation to do so. That is purely a business matter, unless they have a contract which specifizes (misspelled word) otherwise.

A pharmacy is a business, and a business can operate as it pleases.