Keep Contraceptives on Drugstore Shelves
- by: Care2
- recipient: Bobby Ison, Chair of the Virginia Board of Pharmacy
A disturbing trend started in late 2008. "Pro-life" drugstores, which do not stock contraceptives like condoms, birth control pills or the morning after pill, are popping up across the nation.
A full 98 percent of women of reproductive age who have had intercourse have used a contraceptive. By not stocking contraceptives, these "pro-life" pharmacies are denying virtually all of their female customers items they turn to for reproductive health.
The scariest part is that these drug stores could fuel a trend that could deprive entire regions of basic contraception!
Virginia has no stocking regulations, allowing one "pro-life" drugstore, DMC Pharmacy, to keep contraceptives off the shelves. If the Virginia Board of Pharmacy enacted stocking regulations, it would send a message to legislative bodies across the nation. Tell the Virginia Board of Pharmacy that drugstores in its state have a duty to stock basic health care products.
Dear Chairperson Ison,
I am deeply concerned about the rising trend of pharmacies that do not provide contraception, including condoms, birth control pills and the morning-after pill.
Contraceptives prevent sexually transmitted diseases and unintended pregnancies, making them vital to reproductive health. It seems virtually all women agree: 98 percent of women who are of reproductive age and have had intercourse have used a contraceptive.
However, DMC Pharmacy, a drugstore about to open in Chantilly, Virginia, is denying its customers contraceptives they choose to use.
Although Chantilly residents live in an urban area and have other options, allowing this pharmacy to not sell contraceptives sets a dangerous precedent. Other pharmacies could follow DMC's lead, replicating this lack of access in areas where only one pharmacy exists for miles.
[Your comment here]
I urge you to ensure that reproductive health needs are met by Virginia's pharmacies.
