Pharmacist Be Allowed To Deny Prescriptions On Grounds Of Conscience Case Study

1313 Words3 Pages

Should Pharmacists Be Allowed to Deny Prescriptions on Grounds of Conscience? Week 5 Introduction: The issue being discussed in the following articles is whether pharmacists should be allowed to deny prescriptions on grounds of conscience. To explain what grounds of conscience is the complexity of ethical and moral principles that controls or inhibits the actions or thoughts of an individual. The issue mainly under consideration is to force someone to perform an act against his/her religion would be a violation of their human rights. Pharmacists that believe that abortion is immoral want the legal right to exercise their religious beliefs and ethical rights and refuse to dispense the drugs for this purpose and to be protected from …show more content…

In 1998 the (AphA) adopted policies recognizing a pharmacist’s right to refuse dispensing medications based on personal belief. However, if the pharmacist refuses they still have duty to the patient to refer them to another pharmacist. The dilemma is now whether to refer or not. Potential ramifications of not referring are employment termination, civil liability, or disciplinary action form state pharmacy board. Pharmacists are professionals, however he argues if a pharmacist believes whole heartily that if accepting a prescription for abortive and EC medication can lead to facilitating the end to human life, then the pharmacist should be protected under the law and within the …show more content…

In the second article Julie Cantor and Ken Baum explains that individual right and public health boundaries remain unclear and want to offer a balance solution for this complex problem. The conclude that no the pharmacist should not reject and or reject the dispensing of the drugs due to the have an obligation to meet the needs of their customers by referring them elsewhere. They argue in this article “The Limits of Conscientious Objection- May Pharmacists Refuse to Fill Prescriptions for Emergency Contraception?” regarding pharmacists as professional and with their code of ethics that is seems inappropriate to question their right. However, even the courts have agreed that pharmacists have a duty of care. Professionals are expected to place the interests of their clients above their own immediate needs. They believe that a pharmacist understand their fiduciary obligations when they choose their profession (Baum, 2004). Next they argue that emergency contraception is not an abortifacient. They next objecting medications can affect a patient’s health and even place a heavy burden on a person who has no means for another option. Refusal has potential for abuse and discrimination. Final argument is if refusal is the choice then it is unacceptable to leave a patient to fend for themselves. The offer the solution of may have the right to object but, not to

Show More
Related

  • The Four Topics Method of Analysis: A Pregnant Accident Victim

    1099 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...s driven by non-maleficence, or the intent to “do no harm”. They know that withholding treatment for religious beliefs will potentially be fatal to both. While Maria is acting out of loyalty to her religious beliefs, the medical staff is acting out of loyalty to the patient’s well being and that of her unborn child. It would be unfair if no party were acting on behalf of that child. In conclusion, providers in this case must pursue every option in delivering life saving treatment for this child. This may involve legal action. If it were just Maria providers may attempt to influence her decision, but ultimately it would be up to her to refuse suggested treatment. Since her decision affects the life of the baby providers are called upon to save that child .

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Conscientious Objection In Medicine: A Moral Dilemma

    867 Words  | 2 Pages

    In certain situations it is difficult for a person to decide between a moral and immoral choice. In the field of health there are physicians and patients that may have two different mindsets. One may be a patient that believes a decision is moral, while a physician may think the decision is immoral. How can the physician stick to his beliefs and morals when he must make a choice to go against them or not?

    Read More

  • Aristotelian Perspectives on Social Ethics

    4408 Words  | 9 Pages

    According to the Hippocratic oath, abortion is forbidden as morally unjustifiable. A physician is not to help a woman abort he...

    Read More

  • British Approach to the Regulation of Abortion

    2090 Words  | 5 Pages

    Abortion is a procedure carried out to terminate a pregnancy. In 1967, liberal Member of Parliament David Steel introduced the Abortion Act. This legally permitted abortion to be carried out by a medical practitioner in England, Scotland and Wales (Glennerster 2000). Since the implementation of this policy, numbers of abortion have gradually increased. In 2010 almost two hundred thousand procedures were carried out in England and Wales, ninety-six per cent of which were funded by the National Health Service (Department of Health 2011). To access the strengths and weaknesses of abortion regulation a number of areas must be considered. Following a brief section about the background and development of abortion policy, the legal requirement of two doctor consent will be discussed. Repercussions of this legality will be used to justify why the requirement is considered an outdated obligation that weakens abortion regulation. The extent of abortion provision will then be argued as a weakness by sending a troubling message to society. This will interconnect with the need for restrictions in abortion provision, a concept supported by the further discussion of related health risks. Counterarguments will then consider the procedure step by step and suggest that regulations enable a process efficient and suitable for both the hospital and patient. Finally, medicalisation will be discussed as the most prominent strength of the British approach to abortion in regards to safety.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Ellen Goodman's Article Dispensing Mortality

    227 Words  | 1 Pages

    In her article “Dispensing Mortality” (Washington Post, April 9, 2005), Ellen Goodman suggests that conscience clauses should not allow for a pharmacist to oppose providing certain medical services: the person’s own conscience and morals should not be able to trump the decision of the client, who actually knows why he or she needs or wants the medication. She develops this assertion first, by defining what a conscience clause is and how it makes “common sense” in some situations; second, by posing questions that make one consider whether one would be comfortable with a pharmacist refusing them a certain medication; third, by including quotations that prove pharmacists can overrule the “moral beliefs of the doctor and the patient”; fourth,

    Read More

  • Self Use Of Medication Essay

    1695 Words  | 4 Pages

    This assignment will discuss the professional, legal and ethical issues related to the self-use of medication by nurses. It will also explore the importance of reporting this misconduct by both professionals in the scenario and how they might do so. The self-use of medication by nurses is not allowed or justifiable according to the guidance provided to nurses by An Bord Altranais (ABA 2007). It will also be evident throughout this assignment the need for Jack to report Linda’s self-use of the medication or urge Linda to do so regardless of the consequences it may present to both him and Linda as according to Nurses and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI 2013), nurses can now be held responsible for not taking action. This is because delivering the greatest level of care to a patient is an essential role of a nurse and the main focus of the nurse’s work should be on caring for that patient (ABA 2010). There is also an ethical duty upon both nurses to report the misconduct according to the four ethical principles; Beneficence, non-maleficence, justice and autonomy (Edwards 2009).

    Read More

  • Abortion: Why Doctors Should have the Right to Refuse

    1690 Words  | 4 Pages

    Meyers, Christopher, & Woods, Robert D. (1996). An obligation to provide abortion services: what happens when physicians refuse? Journal of Medical

    Read More

  • Physician Assisted Suicide

    853 Words  | 2 Pages

    In this article, Dr. Braddock and Dr. Tonelli explain the difference between physician assisted suicide and euthanasia. Physician assisted suicide is “Practice in which a physician provides a competent, terminally ill patient with a prescription for a lethal dose of medication, upon the patient's request, which the patient intends to use to end his or her own life” (Braddock and Tonelli). The authors then describes that euthanasia is when the physician administers the lethal medication. They write this article with the intent to inform the public about this highly controversial subject. The Dr.’s explain the positive side in assisted suicide as, “Physician aid-in-dying is ethically justifiable” (Braddock and Tonelli). They write that people who are for assisted death are about respect, justice, compassion, individual liberty, and honesty for the sick and dying . The authors then explain that, on the other hand, “Physician assisted suicide is ethically impermissible” (Braddock and Tonelli). They give examples, that could have a negative impact on society, such as, religion, potential for abuse, false diagnosis or prognosis, and how it could been seen as a contradiction to the Hippocratic oath.

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On Physician Assisted Suicide

    1130 Words  | 3 Pages

    Critics to the idea of providing dying patients with lethal doses, fear that people will use this type those and kill others, “lack of supervision over the use of lethal drugs…risk that the drugs might be used for some other purpose”(Young 45). Young explains that another debate that has been going on within this issue is the distinction between killings patients and allowing them die. What people don’t understand is that it is not considered killing a patient if it’s the option they wished for. “If a dying patient requests help with dying because… he is … in intolerable burden, he should be benefited by a physician assisting him to die”(Young 119). Patients who are suffering from diseases that have no cure should be given the option to decide the timing and manner of their own death. Young explains that patients who are unlikely to benefit from the discovery of a cure, or with incurable medical conditions are individuals who should have access to either euthanasia or assisted suicide. Advocates agreeing to this method do understand that choosing death is a very serious matter, which is why it should not be settled in a moment. Therefore, if a patient and physician agree that a life must end and it has been discussed, and agreed, young concludes, “ if a patient asks his physician to end his life, that constitutes a request for

    Read More

  • Abortion Pill

    550 Words  | 2 Pages

    The subject of abortion has created some of the most controversial, social, and moral debates in United States history. On Jan. 22, 1973, in the case Roe Vs. Wade, the Supreme Court ruled that it was a woman’s constitutional right to have an abortion during the first trimester of the pregnancy (The Ruling). Still other interest groups argue that human life begins at conception and having an abortion is murder to an unborn child. These opposing viewpoints create a delicate political and social debate in which the lives of unborn children are placed in the center. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved the RU 486 “abortion pill”, citing that the “overall safety of the pill is excellent”(Food and Drug). This scientific development has the potential to make abortions much more accessible and private to American women. I believe that the abortion pill harbors great qualities for women who choose abortion, yet is an enormous medical setback because it will cost the lives of so many more unborn children.

    Read More

  • Physician-Assisted Suicide

    2225 Words  | 5 Pages

    In today's society, a very controversial issue is physician-assisted suicide for terminally ill patients. Many people feel that it is wrong for people, regardless of their health situation, to ask their doctor or attendant to end their life. Others feel it is their right to be able to choose how and when they die. When a doctor is asked to help a patient to their death, they have certain responsibilities that come along with it. Among these duties, they must prove valid information as to the terminal illness the patient is suffering. They also must educate the patient as to what their final options may be. When they make the decision of whether or not to help the patient into death, and should they accept responsibility, they must provide the lethal dose of medicines that will end the life of the patient.

    Read More

  • The Ethics of Longevity

    909 Words  | 2 Pages

    Phatak, A. (1998 йил 01-01). The pharmaceutical industry and the medical profession. Retrieved 2012 йил 19-01 from Indian Journal of Medical Ethics: http://www.ijme.in/064cr131.html

    Read More

  • Abortion: Women Need a Choice

    1727 Words  | 4 Pages

    Abortion is in the limelight once again. It has hit every American’s T.V. and doorstep in the past few years and the debate is heated. The new health bill, ‘The Affordable Care Act’ or otherwise known as ‘Obama care’, has made abortion an issue once again with its new expansion of abortion coverage. This shouldn’t be an issue, but the fact that this bill is going to guarantee that all new health insurance plans provide coverage for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved contraceptives without the co-pays or deductibles. This has outraged over forty profit-making companies which have already filed lawsuits against the Affordable Care Act (ACA) because it goes against the companies’ religious beliefs. But whether or not one is for or against birth control because it goes against the natural reproductive process between a man and a woman, birth control is for much more than simply preventing pregnancy. There are legislative acts that allow pharmacists to deny a woman her birth control because of their own religious beliefs (Pheo152, 2009). At least 14% of women use birth co...

    Read More

  • History Of Abortion

    1014 Words  | 3 Pages

    1.     Joffe, C. Doctors of Conscience: The Struggle to Provide Abortion Before and After Roe v. Wade. Boston, MA: Beacon Press, 1996

    Read More

  • A Critique of On the Moral and Legal Status of Abortion, by Mary Anne Warren

    1015 Words  | 3 Pages

    Warren rejects emotional appeal in a very Vulcan like manner; devout to reason and logic and in doing so has created a well-written paper based solely on this rational mindset. Works Cited Warren, Mary Anne, and Mappes, D. DeGrazia. On the Moral and Legal Status of Abortion. Biomedical Ethics 4th (1996): 434-440. Print.

    Read More

More about Pharmacist Be Allowed To Deny Prescriptions On Grounds Of Conscience Case Study

Open Document