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Idaho House OKs bill to let pharmacists refuse to dispense drugs they object to

By Brian Murphy - bmurphy@idahostatemsan.com

Published: 03/30/09


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A bill that would allow a pharmacist to refuse to dispense medication or care that violates his or her conscience passed the Idaho House on Monday.

Sponsored by Rep. Thomas Loertscher, R-Iona, the pharmacists’ conscience bill attracted more than an hour of debate as opponents laid out examples of people who could be refused service.

“Conscience is not our only right, and the right to receive medical care is a right that should not be denied by any profession,” said Rep. Grant Burgoyne, D-Boise.

The subtext of the bill is Plan B or the so-called “morning-after pill,” an emergency contraceptive.

“Each Idahoan should have the right to plan his or her family,” said Rep. Anne Pasley-Stuart, D-Boise. “Many of you have been talking about sovereignty. What is dearer to you than your families’ ability to plan a family?”

Loertscher said some medicine, including contraceptives, are so widely available that they do not need to be considered in conjunction with this bill.

“If we don’t take some action, a pharmacist could be compelled to dispense,” he said.

The bill passed 48-21 and now goes to the Senate.

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Brian Murphy: 377-6444

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