Jan 17


Wal-Mart pharmacist denies couple morning-after pill

by Terry 17 January 2007


From the Dayton Daily News:

Tashina Byrd, 23, of Springfield, said the pharmacist “shook his head and laughed” when a pharmacy attendant asked this month about giving the woman and her boyfriend Plan B. The hormone pills can help prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex.

The attendant told Byrd and her boyfriend, Brian O’Neill, 37, of Columbus, that the store stocked Plan B but nobody would give it to them, the couple told The Columbus Dispatch.

[snip]

Brent Beams, the pharmacist, told The Dispatch that he denied the couple’s request for the contraceptive pills because “I do not believe in ending life, and life begins at conception.”

After the pharmacist turned them down, O’Neill and Byrd asked for a store manager who “came over and said, ‘The pharmacist has the law on his side,’ ” O’Neill said.

Ms. Byrd eventually received the pills from a CVS pharmacy. Wal-Mart is investigating the incident.

This is precisely why I believe every woman should have at least one course of Plan B on hand at all times. Don’t wait until you need it lest you run into a member of the Morality Police.

My suggestion? Avoid Wal-Mart and support CVS as much as you are able.

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5 Comments

5 Responses to “Wal-Mart pharmacist denies couple morning-after pill”

  1. Brian on January 17th, 2007 2:32 pm

    The problem is that in some rural places you do not have a choice. What if your only option laughs at you?  (Quote)

  2. Terry on January 17th, 2007 2:38 pm

    Excellent point, Brian. Limited access is a major issue in much of the country. That’s why we need to keep pushing for laws and regulations that prevent pharmacists from setting themselves up as gatekeepers.  (Quote)

  3. Natalie on January 18th, 2007 7:53 am

    Yet another reason not to go to Wal-Mart. I can’t see why this is even an issue. I mean your job is to give out things that a Dr. prescribes. If you won’t do it you should lose your job.  (Quote)

  4. Terry on January 18th, 2007 12:45 pm

    My thoughts exactly, Natalie.  (Quote)

  5. I See Invisible People » Don’t let it happen again on February 16th, 2007 10:01 am

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