The role of pharmacist in approving birth-control is none
Michaelia Fosses
Issue date: 4/5/05 Section: Opinions
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Last week over 100 people gathered outside of an Osco in the Loop at State and Adams to peacefully protest. A pharmacist at that Osco had been refusing to fill prescriptions for birth control pills, including the controversial, "morning-after pill." While this is not the first time a pharmacist has let his/her personal beliefs get in the way of filling prescriptions, and it certainly won't be the last, this was particularly stinging for women in Chicago, as it was the first time that many people have heard of such an event.
Birth control can be a touchy and personal subject for many women. There are many methods of birth control available to women today, one of the most popular being a hormonal pill, often referred to as "The Pill." Women on the pill are inundated with a controlled amount of hormones to prevent the implantation of an egg into the uterus, therefore preventing pregnancy.
No surprise here, but modern contraceptives can fail. Condoms, if not used properly, can break or slip off. The birth control pill, if not taken correctly, at the same time daily, can cease to be effective. These methods are effective, but fallible. Luckily, there is another, emergency method that is available to women who do not wish to be pregnant.
Plan B is an emergency contraceptive set of pills that prevents the implantation of an egg in the uterus of a woman. This set of pills, more commonly known as the "morning after pill," is a godsend for many women who would not have the financial means to raise a child.
Pharmacists provide an important link between doctors and patients. They have a sort of checks and balances type of relationship between the doctors who prescribe the medications and the patients who take the medications. Pharmacists are allowed, in some cases, to override or refuse to distribute medication when they believe that it could be harmful to the patient (i.e., medications that should not be taken together, prescribed by different doctors, etc.).
Birth control can be a touchy and personal subject for many women. There are many methods of birth control available to women today, one of the most popular being a hormonal pill, often referred to as "The Pill." Women on the pill are inundated with a controlled amount of hormones to prevent the implantation of an egg into the uterus, therefore preventing pregnancy.
No surprise here, but modern contraceptives can fail. Condoms, if not used properly, can break or slip off. The birth control pill, if not taken correctly, at the same time daily, can cease to be effective. These methods are effective, but fallible. Luckily, there is another, emergency method that is available to women who do not wish to be pregnant.
Plan B is an emergency contraceptive set of pills that prevents the implantation of an egg in the uterus of a woman. This set of pills, more commonly known as the "morning after pill," is a godsend for many women who would not have the financial means to raise a child.
Pharmacists provide an important link between doctors and patients. They have a sort of checks and balances type of relationship between the doctors who prescribe the medications and the patients who take the medications. Pharmacists are allowed, in some cases, to override or refuse to distribute medication when they believe that it could be harmful to the patient (i.e., medications that should not be taken together, prescribed by different doctors, etc.).