Mum refused emergency contraception. Because pharmacist doesn’t agree with it. Grrr.

[Evenquieterlife33]

I cannot get my head around this- if a medication is available for legal sale and use in the U.K no pharmacist should be imposing their personal beliefs on anybody and refusing to sell it to them. Absolute piss take in my opinion. It’s outrageous that this is legal. I have never heard of women being refused emergency contraception because it clashes with the pharmacists personal beliefs until I read this. I am got smacked. I bet I could find a pharmacist who doesn’t like to dispense antibiotics, I can’t see them being able to turn people away. The older I get the more of this shit seems to be visible. It’s either getting worse or I’ve had my eyes shut for a very long time.
apple.news/AsxAxgpzIQI-IZWwX5YbJRQ

Sarah- 👏👏👏

It was a Lloyds pharmacy inside a Sainsburys supermarket. Let's just get the names out there AGAIN. I could believe it if it was a privately-owned pharmacy, only pharmacy in the village etc etc, but you'd expect that a large supermarket and pharmacy chain would have it covered, even on a sunday. I'm shocked, frankly, that Lloyds and Sainsburys are this poor....
That's pretty shit. Both companies should have something in place to ensure there is no gap in provision. During Ramadan, supermarkets where all the checkout staff are Muslim make provision for them to break their fast at sundown. But not everyone can eat together, as the store isn't going to close to enable this. So it's some thought on the part of the employer and some on the part of the employees.
What's the compromise when a pharmacist refuses? There isn't a backup pharmacist.

The NHS needs to make the morning after pill available at GP surgery front desks, if we can't trust contracted out services to do their jobs properly.
I still wouldn't compel an individual to do something they are morally opposed to (because I wouldn't want it to happen to me in other circumstances) but the provision of healthcare services shouldn't be compromised by one individual. That's a broken system.

Easy to get to another pharmacist?
I agree, it shouldn't be the case that a woman only finds out the pharmacist won't supply after she gets there.

Shoudnt be the case that it's an issue at all.

" local pharmacists that sell the MAP" in someone's search history could be extremely problematic.

As could being spotted going to a chemist 6 miles away when theres one locally.

My local pharmacy doesn’t sell lube, condoms, or any form of female contraception. The pharmacist is still pretty amazing and one of the few medical professionals I trust. He displays the notices very clearly but will still get bolshy dickheads in their pyjamas arguing with him because they can’t be bothered to go to the nearest Asda.

I’m 40. I’ve lived through the panic and stress of a condom splitting and having to get a GP appointment to access the MAP (when you couldn’t just buy it at the chemist.) Delaying by a day can make a big difference as the effectiveness decreases over time.

‘Levonelle is the most commonly prescribed emergency contraceptive pill in the UK (it goes by the name Plan B in the US and Canada). It must be taken within 72 hours (3 days) of sexual intercourse. It can also be bought as Generic Levonelle.

Levonelle is:

95% effective if taken within 12 hours of unprotected sex
85% effective if taken between 12- 24 hours of unprotected sex
75% effective if taken between 24- 48 hours of unprotected sex
58% effective if taken between 48- 72 hours of unprotected sex’

It’s unacceptable to delay a woman seeking help.

What on Earth is the rationale for not selling lube?

I was once refused the pill by a locum GP who said he didn't prescribe it for religious reasons. I had my baby with me and was made to wait another 45 minutes to be squeezed in with a different doctor.
I was outraged and embarrassed at the time: there are many lines of medicine a doctor could go into where they wouldn't come across this and embarrass and upset patients. Why be a a GP or a pharmacist when you will encounter matters of contraception regularly?

I wonder if this happens in France? They are very keen on religion not encroaching into secular matters.

My local pharmacy doesn’t sell lube, condoms, or any form of female contraception. The pharmacist is still pretty amazing and one of the few medical professionals I trust. He displays the notices very clearly but will still get bolshy dickheads in their pyjamas arguing with him because they can’t be bothered to go to the nearest Asda.

Wtf?? I'd be encouraging everyone to boycott the pharmacy. Dreadful way to run a business. You can buy hairspray from me but you can't have sex for pleasure. Fucking joke.

I've also been refused the MAP on religious grounds, on a Sunday morning as a 17 year old. Had to travel 15 miles to the next available open pharmacy. Was a long time ago but still rankles.

What on Earth is the rationale for not selling lube?

Coupled with the lack of selling of condoms too it must be one of those " sex is for reproduction only and musnt be enjoyed at all" types.

You really have to wonder why they even became a pharmacist.

Wow! What if you live in an area where ALL the pharmacists refuse to sell certain medications?

“TinklyLittleLaugh
What on Earth is the rationale for not selling lube?”
I don’t know, but I do know lots of people (curly hair people of whom I am one.) Who use it for their hair in place of serum 😂they are missing a trick!

It's disgraceful.
Selling medicines and dispensing prescriptions is part of the job.
Religion or personal belief should not be allowed to get in the way.

@Jaxhog exactly- your screwed. Women’s access to emergency contraception in the U.K. seems to boil down to religious objection not growing or being voiced and acted on. Which is outrageous.

even

Probably a massive homophobe that's why. Perhaps if gay men are unable to access condoms and lube then..

Sarah- Jere hadn’t even thought of that one. It just gets worse!

should say jeez

Dont we always say , if you cant talk about it then you aren't mature enough to be doing it....

If you cant deal with the idea if adults having sex then dont enter a profession where items or advice about said sex will be a part of it.

Maybe he just needs a good shag.

I am a Pharmacist and I don't think that Pharmacists who have moral or religious objections to MAP should work in pharmacies where they are likely to be the only easily accessible Pharmacy within the area (e.g. Weekends/Bank Holidays/late nights)

They are obliged to signpost to an alternative supply of MAP but for girls/women who don't have access to a car then the alternative supplier may not be accessible

Please complain

Would be grateful for those more expert on equality law to give an opinion on this: If the pharmacist was prepared to sell condoms to a male but not the MAP to a female would that be a breech if the Equality Act 2010?

bolshy dickheads in their pyjamas

AKA distressed or upset women trying to access necessary medical treatment

ffs

Shocking.

ImADad the 'conscientious objection' clause has been in place since I qualified in late 90s

I imagine it's been cleared from a legal viewpoint and as back to front as it sounds I suspect the reason it is legally allowable is because it would be seen as infringing on the human rights of religious Pharmacists to force them to supply MAP