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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think this is a bit off....But not sure why.

461 replies

Shortstuff08 · 30/07/2018 15:33

So, I had to go get the morning after pill today. I went to a high street retailer that has a pharmacy. They had a sign saying they provided it.

The woman behind the counter asked me if I was wanting the free one or to pay for it. I said that I assumed I would have to pay. She went away and came back and said they didn't provide the free one. I said that was fine and she told me that the Pharmacist would come our to see me in minute. A man approached me and asked if I was waiting. He then told me that he 'couldn't' provide MAP. I asked if they didn't have any and he said 'no, we do, but I can't give it'

Fair enough, I went to another high street store. Spoke to the Pharmacist there, she asked me a few questions about medication I am on and the gave me it. I said I was relieved she could as the other store couldn't give me it and thought I would spend all day looking for somewhere. She asked me where I had been and then said that some pharmacists, don't give it out due to religious purposes.

I don't think that's ok. If it's your job, how can you refuse on religious grounds? Or are some Pharmacists not able to administer it? Or am I being an arse in thinking that you should just do your job?

OP posts:
Dottierichardson · 30/07/2018 16:06

OP I would find the email for their customer services, head office and complain. There are likely to have been and will be other women who are turned down. Some of them may not realise they can go elsewhere, so will also be helpful in the future.

borlottibeans · 30/07/2018 16:07

It's totally out of order and if someone's religious beliefs allow them to refuse certain types of healthcare they shouldn't be allowed to work in a situation where they're the only person who would otherwise be able to offer it. Unfortunately the law doesn't agree and it is legally absolutely fine to refuse to provide women (funnily this never seems to directly affect men) healthcare if it's related to reproduction.

Though I did think they were at least obliged to signpost you to someone/somewhere that could help. As you say a vulnerable person could be put off completely by this. If it's a high street chain I'd be inclined to make a formal complaint to their head office.

delphguelph · 30/07/2018 16:07

I would also like to know if he also refuses to help men with erectile dysfunction who are not married.

^

I'd go out on a limb and say that he wouldn't refuse.

delphguelph · 30/07/2018 16:08

And BTW I would complain about them.

LemonBreeland · 30/07/2018 16:08

I've had a GP refuse to refer me for an abortion. It was shit to have to make another appointment. The GP I saw later did apologise and said perhaps the receptionist could refer more carefully in future. But I hadn't told the receptionist what I needed an appointment for, so they couldn't have helped.

I do think the MAP is a different situation, because as others have said it prevents pregnancy. I do agree that the pharmacist should have explained why though.

KittyHawke80 · 30/07/2018 16:09

A friend of mine will happily prescribe the MAP but won’t refer for an abortion - he gets another GP in the surgery do that. I can’t get too get up about that - Christian; married to a vicar.

RideOn · 30/07/2018 16:13

Of course a pharmacist can act on conscience. MAP can stop a fertilized egg from implanting and if you believe life begins at conception (when egg meets sperm) then you are interrupting this.

They should have said it is available from other pharmacys if he was the only pharmacist in the shop.

user1472651064 · 30/07/2018 16:14

If your religion stops you doing your job, you need a new job (or religion).

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 30/07/2018 16:16

I'm confused to why the first assistant just didn't say they didn't offer the MAP in the first place if they don't sell it because of religious reasons?

ShredMeJillianIWantToBeNatalie · 30/07/2018 16:16

I’m a bit confused but I had assumed the pharmacist didn’t say why they couldn’t give the OP the morning after pill? Surely even if it’s ok to refuse (which I don’t think it is ...) he should have just said “I’m afraid I can’t give you this product due to my religious beliefs.” And then said “but my colleague/this pharmacy/whatever will be able to help you....”?

From the way the OP writes it I’d have been completely confused. It wouldn’t have occurred to me that that was a good reason for refusal.

And what if they’re the only pharmacy in town? Or it’s a Sunday and no others are open?

Everanewbie · 30/07/2018 16:19

This is another classic case of religion being given too much respect for no reason. If I was a pharmacist and I refused the MAP because I was pro-life I would be sacked. But if I say it is because of my religious beliefs that is somehow ok?

Why do medieval fairy tale followers get away with these things?!?

spacewitch99 · 30/07/2018 16:21

I have worked with nurses and doctors in A&E departments who have refused to provide MAP. There is quite clear guidance in place that staff must follow and NEVER should the person requesting it be made to feel guilty for doing so. I had to discipline a staff nurse once for airing her very personal views to a woman requesting MAP.

ProfessorMoody · 30/07/2018 16:22

If religion stops someone from doing their job properly, particularly when they are in a position that involves medical care, they should not be allowed to do that job.

Original poster
Shortstuff08 · 30/07/2018 16:25

They sound a bit Royston Vasey. Why did the woman ask if you paid or not if they couldn't give you the free one? Why didn't she tell you that first? And THEN some man arrives to tell you no without explanation?

This town does have a reputation for being a bit royston vasey. However I do like it here in general, it's a nice small town.

No idea, why she asked if I wanted the free one or the paid one, to then come back and say they didn't do the free one. I just assumed I would have to pay anyway.didnt realise you could get it for free.

From the way the OP writes it I’d have been completely confused. It wouldn’t have occurred to me that that was a good reason for refusal

I was confused. Firstly by the question about it being the free one. Then by him. I assumed at that point that not all Pharamists were trained to do it.

It was when I mentioned it at the other Pharmacy, that I was told that. I was panicking, on the way there, that they were going to say they couldn't do it either.

I also don't understand why they have a big sign listing their services at the counter, if they don't offer them all the time.

OP posts:
scolotti · 30/07/2018 16:27

If it's for religious reason they absolutely should have the right to refuse imo.

Eliza9917 · 30/07/2018 16:31

I've read this before. in the last few weeks. Exact same post practically.

NewYearNewMe18 · 30/07/2018 16:33

I'd be concerned you're being told to report the first pharmacist to |HO on religious grounds - which is pure conjecture by the 2nd pharmacist. Reporting someone for making a wild assumption.

I'd have asked why he couldn't give it to me.

FYI, people have the right to practice their religious beliefs unhindered. Nurses have the protected right not to assist with terminations if it conflicts with their religious beliefs. www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-22279857

Tupperwarelid · 30/07/2018 16:34

I needed the MAP when I was a student some 25 years ago. The GP wouldn't prescribe it to be as it was "against her beliefs" but another GP in the practice signed the prescription for me. I don't think this is a new thing.

Easilyflattered · 30/07/2018 16:36

He should have given you advice on how to obtain it, but is within his rights to refuse on religious grounds.

Perhaps he didn't explain why he wouldn't because he didn't want an earful of abuse for following a faith.

Just read some of the previous posts for people's reactions towards somebody with differing views from their own

SaturdaySauv · 30/07/2018 16:36

There is a provision for ‘conscientiously objecting’ to MAP and declining to supply it in pharmacy law and ethics but you must be respectful and sign post to another pharmacy.

manaftermidnight · 30/07/2018 16:36

I don't understand why you didn't simply ask "why not"? You had the whole conversation but just wandered off without actually getting to the point. Doesn't make sense.

Valanice1989 · 30/07/2018 16:39

What if a white supremacist lifeguard refused to save a black child from drowning because it was against their beliefs? What if a Christian police officer refused to arrest a man for raping his wife because the Bible says that women are the property of their husbands, so he believes marital rape shouldn't be a crime anyway? It's all ridiculous.

Strangely enough, you never hear about pharmacists refusing to prescribe Viagra because it's against their beliefs...

Ohyesiam · 30/07/2018 16:39

I’m surprised the duty of care doesn’t come above their beliefs.
When I was a student nurse we did one placement in psychiatry. I remember being told that some nurses objected to ECT , but if no other nurse was available they had to assist because their duty of care prevailed.

mineisarossini · 30/07/2018 16:45

I would complain very forcefully, entirely unacceptable and this person needs to find another job that does not compromise his religious leanings.

IDontEatFriedTurtle · 30/07/2018 16:48

YANBU.

If your religion said medicine should be free for the masses, would they let you walk out with an armful of calpol?

No ,or they should have to advertise rather than humiliate women who go in there and might not have time or resources to get to multiple pharmacies.