Oregon pharmacy board sets policy on access to emergency contraception

June 13, 2006

PORTLAND, Ore. (RNS) Women in Oregon who want emergency contraception pills got more assurance that they'll be able to buy their medication without undue delay or a lecture from a disapproving pharmacist.

Oregon law does not require pharmacists who object to dispensing the morning-after pill to do so. But the Oregon Board of Pharmacy will require pharmacies to make sure there's a way for patients to get their pills despite a pharmacist's objections.

On June 7, the board adopted a position statement forbidding pharmacists from lecturing their patients on religious or moral beliefs or confiscating, destroying or tampering with a patient's prescription. Such behavior would be considered "unprofessional behavior," according to the statement.

The statement allows pharmacists who object to emergency contraception to follow their conscience. But if they refuse to dispense the pill, they must quickly refer patients to a pharmacist who will.

The statement, which modifies one adopted last August, emphasizes a pharmacist's "duty" to provide care in the patient's interest and requires each pharmacy to write procedures to address pharmacists' moral, ethical and professional responsibilities.

Gary Schnabel, executive director of the pharmacy board, said the changes came at the request of the Northwest Women's Law Center in Seattle on behalf of Planned Parenthood of the Columbia Willamette and NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon, an abortion-rights group.

"The net effect is that people will sleep easier," he said. "I think a lot of people were worried about what might happen more than what was actually happening."

The pill, Plan B, also known as the "morning-after pill," has been available since 1999. If taken within 72 hours of sex, it dramatically cuts the chance of pregnancy. Proponents say because of the time limit it's essential to make it easy to acquire.

Gayle Atteberry, executive director of Oregon Right to Life, which opposes abortion, said she is disappointed in the pharmacy board "for failing to stick up for their pharmacists who are morally opposed to this pill."

-- Patrick O'Neill