Currently in Ireland, pharmacists may refuse to provide you with emergency contraception (the 'morning after pill') under a 'conscientious objection' clause. This, of course, can cause major access issues and increases the stigma surrounding reproductive health in Ireland.
Though the pharmacist is required to refer the individual to another pharmacy, this can be both geographically and financially impossible for many. Furthermore, it is unacceptable to turn people away from receiving this legal, safe and often essential drug. A decision to access emergency contraception should not be dependent on the value system, religious beliefs or moral philosophy of any other individual.
We believe that this is an extremely vulnerable and degrading position to put individuals in and that it exploits the power and influence of medical professionals.
We seek to replace this conscientious objection clause with one which ensures provision of this medication on request-irrespective of a pharmacist’s moral judgements.
Please sign this petition if you believe the personal beliefs of a pharmacist should not impact upon the reproductive rights of others.
www.realproductivehealth.com
Despite being available without a prescription in Ireland since 2011, under Principle One of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland’s (PSI) Code of Conduct for pharmacists, as outlined in the PSI’s guidance on the supply of NorLevo by pharmacists, pharmacists may refuse to dispense the morning after pill if it lies in contradiction with his or her moral standards;
‘if supply to a patient is likely to be affected by the personal moral standards of a pharmacist’ (PSI, 2015)
The same is true of guidelines regarding the supply of ellaOne, made available without prescription in 2015 in Ireland.
Though the pharmacist is required to refer the individual to another pharmacy, this can be both geographically and financially impossible for many. Furthermore, it is unacceptable to turn people away from receiving this legal, safe and often essential drug. A decision to access emergency contraception should not be dependent on the value system, religious beliefs or moral philosophy of any other individual.
We believe that this is an extremely vulnerable and degrading position to put individuals in and that it exploits the power and influence of medical professionals.
We believe that moral judgements held by medical professionals should not impact on their role in providing safe, legal and requested health care.
We believe we are fully capable of making decisions about our reproductive health.
Our petition therefore calls on the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland to amend Principle One of the current PSI Code of Conduct.
We seek to replace this conscientious objection clause with one which ensures provision of this medication on request-irrespective of a pharmacist’s moral judgements.
Please sign and share if you agree.
www.realproductivehealth.com
