STENDER MEASURE TO PROTECT WOMEN'S ACCESS TO BIRTH CONTROL MEDICINES CLEARS COMMITTEE
Legislation Would Ensure Pharmacists Dispense Prescriptions Without Invoking Biases

(TRENTON) -- The Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee today released legislation Assemblywoman Linda Stender sponsored that would prohibit pharmacists from using the pretense of their personal philosophical, moral, or religious beliefs to refuse to dispense prescription medicines.
"Democracy guarantees us the right to hold our own moral or religious views, but under no circumstances should a pharmacist's personal beliefs impede a patient's ability to obtain their prescribed medicines," said Stender (D-Union). "For any pharmacist to knowingly prevent access to health care is almost unconscionable."

Under the measure (A-992), pharmacies would be required to dispense prescribed medications to patients, regardless of any religious or philosophical concerns held by employees. In cases where the pharmacy does not have a prescribed medication in stock, the bill would require the pharmacist to order the prescription or locate a pharmacy of the patient's choice that carries the drug.

Stender said she introduced the measure to protect women and their right to make health-care choices following nationwide reports of pharmacists who refused to fill prescriptions of birth control pills and the so-called "morning after pill" for personal or religious reasons.

"A pharmacist has a clear duty to provide care for their patients, regardless of their moral or religious convictions," said Stender. "The residents of New Jersey need to be assured that medications prescribed to them by their physicians will be provided without unnecessary delay."

According to a November 2004 CBS News/New York Times poll, eight out of ten Americans believe pharmacists who personally oppose birth control for religious reasons should not refuse to sell oral contraceptives. A July 2005 study conducted by HCD Research found that 78 percent of physicians believe that state laws should require pharmacists to fill prescriptions of the "morning after pill" despite their personal or religious objections.

The bill passed 8-2. It now heads to the Assembly Speaker, who decides if and when to post it for a floor vote.

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CONTACT:
Assemblywoman Linda Stender
(908) 668-1900
Erin Gold
(609) 292-7065