Sunday, January 22, 2006
Blogging for Choice
I wrote the following article last spring. It was published in the South Carolina Pharmacy Association's monthly publication. It went out to over 2,000 pharmacist, technicians, and pharmacy students that are members of the association.
During my first year of pharmacy school, I had a class that covered several topics that were relevant to the practice of pharmacy, but did not warrant enough attention for a full course. One of the areas we covered in the class was medical ethics. We examined several hypothetical situations in which our personal beliefs may have been challenged by a medical decision we were asked to make. Pharmacists as recently as last month have been making headlines across the country by refusing to dispense birth control pills and/or emergency contraception. Do pharmacists have the right to refuse to dispense a prescription based on personal beliefs? The issue is complex.
As a body, the American Pharmacists Association has developed a code of ethics for pharmacists. The code includes the following eight principals:
I. A pharmacist respects the covenantal relationship between the patient and pharmacist.
II. A pharmacist promotes the good of every patient in a caring, compassionate, and confidential manner.
III. A pharmacist respects the autonomy and dignity of each patient.
IV. A pharmacist acts with honesty and integrity in professional relationships.
V. A pharmacist maintains professional competence.
VI. A pharmacist respects the values and abilities of colleagues and other health professionals.
VII. A pharmacist serves individual, community, and societal needs.
VIII. A pharmacist seeks justice in the distribution of health resources.
By applying this code of ethics, the argument can be made for either side of the issue. A pharmacist may believe they are placing the well-being of the patient ahead of the patient's desires by refusing to dispense a lethal dose of a medication prescribe to assist in the patient's suicide. On the other hand, one could argue that by refusing to dispense birth-control pills the pharmacist is not respecting the autonomy and dignity of the patient. I believe the take home message from the class that I attended was to put confidentiality and professional judgment above personal beliefs. However, I think the instructor also promoted the individual pharmacist's right to dispense or to refuse to dispense. How can a young pharmacist fulfill their obligations to the patients and to their conscience? I believe that the answer lies in planning. It is important to understand before practicing what issues may cause a moral dilemma to the individual pharmacist. This approach can minimize the impact of the decision for the patient. If you are strongly against the use of emergency contraception, you can avoid impacting a patient’s right by working in a pharmacy that does not stock birth control products or by working with another pharmacist who is willing to dispense the medications. We all have a right to our own beliefs and ethics. We do not have the right to punish patients because they do not share the same view. An open line of communication with your employer and fellow pharmacist will allow you to follow your conscience and to serve your patients with respect and dignity.
A year later, I wonder how relevant this advice will even be. I am sure that if Alito is confirmed that the Supreme Court will overturn Roe v. Wade. Abortion will be turned over to state legislators. I believe that
I believe strongly in a woman's right to choose. I made the trip to
check: http://advocates.ppin.org/2006_legislation.aspx#hb1080
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