Pharmacist's religious/moral objection to emergency contraception

[lilly0]

A while ago I went into Boots to buy the MAP. The pharmacist on duty wouldn't prescribe to me for religious reasons but pointed another pharmacy to me no biggy I thought but then I thought about it. Why would a pharmacist object to emergency contraception it isn't an abortion pill they don't seem to mind selling condoms and dispensing the pill ?
Is there any reason not to sell the MAP ?

That is true if it is on prescription (if the shop has a contract with the NHS ) but I think it is a bit different if the person is buying the MAP as in this case. Private businesses can decide whether or not they want to sell something and that includes pharmacies. In OP's case Boots want to sell the MAP so OP should complain to them.

Fair point about what a private business can and can't decide to do, but that's where I think legislation is required. If you decide you are going to run a pharmacy then I don't think it's morally or ethically right to pick and choose what services you are going to supply. If a medicine is legal and someone has a legitimate reason to ask for it, then it should be supplied.

In terms of a religious objection - I went to Asda earlier today and bought (amongst other things) some bacon and some prosecco. The lady serving me at the till was Muslim - or I assume she was because she was wearing a hijab. She scanned and sold me pork and alcohol with no issues at all - and presumably if she felt so strongly that she couldn't be involved with those items because of her religious beliefs, then she wouldn't be doing the job she was doing. So why should it be any different for a pharmacist? At the very least you should only be able to refuse to dispense if there is another pharmacist on duty who could cover you and act in your place.

I know that the rules are slightly different for prescription, but I thought part of the reason for making the MAP available OTC was to make it more accessible - and also to free up GPs' time, as they are generally straining at the seams with work, hence the pressure on A&E because people can't get appointments?

Another good reason why pharmacists shouldn't be allowed to do this thedailymail - if the patient can't get map otc at pharmacies as intended theyyre quite possibly going to head back to getting it at gp, a&e and walk in centres - as you say additional cost and pressure on nhs

1 if you don't believe you report and don't say so on thread

2 other posters have said they've had similar experiences

3 not all boots branches have more than one pharmacist on at the same time - my local one doesn't.

4 I think op's use of prescribe was addressed upthread. Even if not it's clear she means they refused to issue/dispense it

Geordie - you deliberately inflame and write factually incorrect information. Jumped up counter assistants ? Are you for real ? Why would the OP lie? You are the same on other threads - go and pick a fight elsewhere.