News Release
Pharmacists for Life (Canada)
Pharmacists for Life International/Canada opposes the controversial policy decision by the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia in which pharmacists in that province will be facing increased pressure to be distributors of death-causing products and services.
Mr. Michael Izzotti, Coordinator of PFLI/Canada, stated in an information bulletin today that “to supply death causing products and services from a pharmacy (a health care facility) flies in the face of the promotion of appropriate practices the pharmaceutical profession has engaged in for the last 15-20years”.
Mr. Izzotti further stated that “the push by the College of Pharmacists of BC to pressure the professionals that they regulate to supply the controversial products and services that the College suggests, represents a travesty in health care”. This is in direct contradiction to the Hippocratic Oath which many noble and honorable medical practitioners have taken and are committed to follow.
A recent BC College bulletin article, “Ethics in Practice”,1 suggests that pharmacists may have a conscientious or moral objection to future services that “might expand to include, preparation of drugs to assist voluntary or involuntary suicide, cloning, genetic manipulation or even execution”. These products & services and some others mentioned in that article in fact are not necessarily “recognized” nor “legitimate” services to be expected from a pharmacy.
In light of the above concerns, and considering that similar concerns are arising in Alberta, PFLI/Canada extends it support to Alberta’s Bill 212 prepared by Julius Yankowsky, which would insure Human Rights protection regarding Freedom of Conscience to all health care workers. In addition, PFLI/Canada encourages federal conscience legislation to be enacted.
Notes 1. Bulletin of the College of Pharmacists of B.C. Mar/Apr 2000, Vol. 25, No.2
For further information, please call Michael Izzotti, Coordinator PFLI/Canada Tel: (905)528-4828 Fax (905)528-5593 or Email- hrtl@hwcn.org
Pharmacists for Life International (Canada) Information Bulletin April 12/00
Due to continuing discussions caused by a controversial policy decision by the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia in which pharmacists in that province will be facing increased pressure to be distributors of death-causing products and services, PFLI/Canada felt it necessary to make these statements at this time. Pharmacists have traditionally been known, trusted and respected for being providers of life saving, health-maintaining-and-restoring products and services, however, the College in B.C. is now suggesting that pharmacists should be involved in the provision of products for ending the life of human beings as well.
The 1st week of May is the scheduled date for certain “trained” pharmacists to be the providers of the abortifacient Morning After Pill with or without a prescription from a doctor. A recent BC College bulletin article, “Ethics in Practice”, suggests that pharmacists may have a conscientious or moral objection to future services that “might expand to include, preparation of drugs to assist voluntary or involuntary suicide, cloning, genetic manipulation or even execution”. These products & services and some others mentioned in that article in fact are not necessarily “recognized” nor “legitimate” services to be expected from a pharmacy.
To supply death causing products and services from a pharmacy (a health care facility) flies in the face of the promotion of appropriate practices the pharmaceutical profession has engaged in for the last 15-20years. These appropriate practices include: encouraging pharmacists to provide more cognitive services, (e.g. being a drug information resource for the community, resolving drug related problems, providing increased patient counselling etc); other practices include, emphasis to provide greater communication with the public and to promote proper pharmaceutical care for all human beings especially those most vulnerable and needing our unique knowledge and skills. These vulnerable people should include, the child in utero, the elderly and disabled people.
The push by the College of Pharmacists of BC for pharmacists to supply the controversial products and services, noted above, represents a travesty in health care. It is in direct contradiction to the Hippocratic oath which many noble and honourable medical practitioners have taken and are committed to follow.
The policy decision, named above, of the College of Pharmacists of B.C. should be withdrawn because it causes a negative influence on organizations who sponsor provision of pharmaceutical services from their outlets, and a damaging and unhealthy image to our honourable and dignified profession.
It would be much appreciated if these organizations would rather continue to encourage and exhort practitioners in our profession to be the providers of proper pharmaceutical health care services to the public as they have done in the past.
For further information, please call Michael Izzotti, Coordinator, PFLI/Canada, 905-528-4828