In a controversial policy change, announced this week the College of Pharmacists of B.C.\u00a0decided to allow pharmacists to hand out the morning after pill, Preven, over the counter\u00a0without a doctor’s prescription.\u00a0 In response, Greg Eberhart, registrar of the \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Alberta Pharmaceutical Association (APhA) has stated that “The APhA hopes to follow\u00a0\u00a0B.C.’s push…”<\/p>\n
“There has been no dialogue between the membership of the APhA and its executive, as\u00a0to how pharmacists stand on this position,” says Ms. Maria Bizecki, spokesperson for\u00a0\u00a0the group Concerned Phamacists for Conscience (CPC).\u00a0 Ms. Bizecki further states the\u00a0\u00a0APhA executive finds itself under increased pressure from the Society of Obstetricians and\u00a0\u00a0Gynecologists of\u00a0 Canada (SOGC), to dispense this product over the counter.<\/p>\n
In 1995, the issue of a “conscience clause” came before the\u00a0 APhA\u00a0\u00a0membership and was passed, but, after consideration, dismissed by the APhA’s self-appointed Regulatory Affairs Committee.\u00a0\u00a0 “Forcing pharmacists to dispense\u00a0or refer patients requesting Preven, an abortion causing drug\u00a0developed to primarily act during Implantation of an embryo, is an insult to the autonomy\u00a0of the pharmacist, the profession of pharmacy, and a health risk to women” adds\u00a0 Ms.Bizecki.<\/p>\n
Concerned Pharmacists for Conscience (CPC) is opposed to pharmacists dispensing \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 medications that violate their conscience on moral, medical ethical, or religious grounds.<\/p>\n
For further information: <\/b>Ms. Maria Bizecki, spokesperson Tel: (403) 228-2190\u00a0 Fax:(403) 228-2249<\/p>\n
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