Susan C Winkler, John A Gans
Extract
Expanding collaborative practice navigates the issue well, providing a seamless way for women to access emergency contraception without compromising the pharmacist’s ability to opt out. Such legislative initiatives are far more effective in expanding access to emergency contraception than misguided regulations that require pharmacists or pharmacies to assure dispensing of contraceptives “without delay.” In addition to blatantly insulting the professionals who are required to check their beliefs at the door, duty-to-dispense laws can have the opposite effect by limiting access to contraceptives when pharmacy practices simply choose not to carry the products rather than face sanctions if workable solutions for accommodating the patient and the pharmacist are disrupted by misguided regulations. Conscience and collaborative practice can complement each other, but only if both are available.
Winkler SC, Gans JA. Conscientious Objection and Collaborative Practice: Conflicting or Complementary Initiatives? J Am Pharm Assoc. 2006 Jan;46(1):12-13.