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Pharmacists exhibit regional differences of opinion: Should
pharmacists have the right to refuse to fill prescriptions?
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[DEC. 12, 2005]
FLEMINGTON, N.J. -- New insights from a national
survey of 859 U.S. pharmacists released Friday reveal regional
differences in pharmacists' opinions on filling prescriptions for
emergency contraception. The national survey was conducted Dec. 3-4
by HCD Research to obtain the views of pharmacists in response to
recent media reports that four pharmacists were suspended by the
Walgreen Co. in Illinois for refusing to fill emergency
contraception prescriptions.
Among the regional findings:
Should pharmacists have the authority to refuse filling
prescriptions for emergency contraception such as the morning-after
pill?
| |
South |
West |
Southwest |
Mid-Atlantic |
Midwest |
New England |
| Yes |
74% |
67% |
70% |
58% |
69% |
58% |
| No |
26% |
33% |
30% |
43% |
31% |
42% |
Should state laws require pharmacists to fill prescriptions
despite any personal objections?
| |
South |
West |
Southwest |
Mid-Atlantic |
Midwest |
New England |
| Yes. Patient's rights should prevail if a
legal drug is prescribed by a doctor. |
19% |
20% |
21% |
30% |
23% |
33% |
| No. Pharmacists should have the right to
refuse filling prescriptions. |
53% |
36% |
28% |
35% |
38% |
17% |
Pharmacists should have the right to refuse to fill
prescriptions, but pharmacists should be required to refer patients
to another pharmacist who will fill the prescription.
| |
South |
West |
Southwest |
Mid-Atlantic |
Midwest |
New England |
| Agree |
25% |
44% |
51% |
35% |
38% |
50% |
Do you think Walgreen was justified in putting the four
pharmacists on unpaid leave for refusing to fill emergency
contraception prescriptions?
| |
South |
West |
Southwest |
Mid-Atlantic |
Midwest |
New England |
| Yes |
25% |
32% |
24% |
36% |
26% |
33% |
| No |
66% |
60% |
64% |
58% |
65% |
54% |
To view detailed regional results for the poll, go to
http://publish.hcdhealth.com/C0007_region/. |
