13 WTHR - Indianapolis News |Lawmakers debate pharmacist refusal bill
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Indianapolis - Indiana lawmakers are debating a bill over a pharmacists right to not dispense certain drugs.
Senator Jeff Drozda introduced the bill before the General Assembly Wednesday.
It would allow a pharmacist to choose not to dispense a drug or medical device if the pharmacist believes it could be used to cause an abortion or destroy an unborn child or be used for assisted suicide, euthanasia, or a mercy killing. The law is based on the personal beliefs of the pharmacist and states that the pharmacist's employer could not take action against him or her for refusing to fill a prescription for those reasons.
Some lawmakers are concerned the bill is not specific enough about what drugs it covers, and could include contraceptives. Opponents say pharmacist refusal laws are problematic particularly for women in rural areas who may be unable to drive to another pharmacy to get an emergency contraceptive prescription filled. They also say it allows a third party's personal beliefs to interfere with the patient-doctor relationship.
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