AMA Passes Resolution Saying Pharmacists Should Be Required To Fill All Prescriptions or Provide Immediate Referrals
The American Medical Association's House of Delegates on Monday at its annual meeting in Chicago passed a resolution saying pharmacists should be required to fill all valid prescriptions or refer patients to another pharmacy or pharmacist immediately, the Chicago Tribune reports.
If a pharmacist has moral or religious objections to dispensing certain medications, such as emergency contraception, they should make an "immediate referral to an appropriate alternative dispensing pharmacy without interference," the resolution says. AMA's action also details the association's support for state and federal legislation that would require pharmacies to fill all prescriptions (Japsen, Chicago Tribune, 6/21).
The AMA resolution also includes a provision stating that the group might lobby for federal legislation that would allow physicians to dispense medication if there is no pharmacist available or willing to fill the prescription within a 30-mile radius, the AP/USA Today reports.
The resolution was prompted by the increasing number of pharmacists nationwide who have begun refusing to fill prescriptions for EC, which can prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours of sexual intercourse, and other contraceptives (Tanner, AP/USA Today, 6/20). AMA member Peter Carmel, who is a New Jersey doctor, at a press briefing said the resolution is intended to apply "moral suasion" to the issue (Stern, Reuters, 6/21). More than 12 states are considering legislation about the issue (Chicago Tribune, 6/21).
Source
The American Medical Association's House of Delegates on Monday at its annual meeting in Chicago passed a resolution saying pharmacists should be required to fill all valid prescriptions or refer patients to another pharmacy or pharmacist immediately, the Chicago Tribune reports.
If a pharmacist has moral or religious objections to dispensing certain medications, such as emergency contraception, they should make an "immediate referral to an appropriate alternative dispensing pharmacy without interference," the resolution says. AMA's action also details the association's support for state and federal legislation that would require pharmacies to fill all prescriptions (Japsen, Chicago Tribune, 6/21).
The AMA resolution also includes a provision stating that the group might lobby for federal legislation that would allow physicians to dispense medication if there is no pharmacist available or willing to fill the prescription within a 30-mile radius, the AP/USA Today reports.
The resolution was prompted by the increasing number of pharmacists nationwide who have begun refusing to fill prescriptions for EC, which can prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours of sexual intercourse, and other contraceptives (Tanner, AP/USA Today, 6/20). AMA member Peter Carmel, who is a New Jersey doctor, at a press briefing said the resolution is intended to apply "moral suasion" to the issue (Stern, Reuters, 6/21). More than 12 states are considering legislation about the issue (Chicago Tribune, 6/21).
Source
Comments
Post a Comment
Comments are moderated and are published at the blogger's discretion.