Some pharmacist turned a woman away who was trying to buy birth control and it's all over the news. I think this particular case involved a pharmacist who owned his own store so I feel he has the right to choose what he wants to sell. She can take her business elsewhere if she doesn't like it.

Considering a particular pharmacy is owned by someone who has no persuasion either way, should the pharmacist working at the counter (not the owner) have the right to turn someone away because he/she believes women should not be using contraceptives?

Also, what about a rural area with one drugstore for miles. Should the pharmacist have the right to turn people away based on his/her own moral code?

__________________
Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.
-Dr. Carl Sagan

It would depend on the law of the land. In Denmark every pharmacy must be licensed by the state to do its business. Part of the way to achieve a license is to agree to serve every customer, no matter their racial, religious, political, etc makeup.

Perhaps something similar doesn't apply in the US?

This was recently discussed/debated, you may be interested in:
'Pro-Life' Drugstores Market Beliefs

I see no contraversy here. You own and invest your money in a business you should choose what you want to sell in that business! No matter how close the nearest pharmacy is! ITS A FREE MARKET! If they dont carrie a certain product then let them suffer the loss! Goverment should not regulate a free economy. If a teenage girl cant keep her legs shut and she gets pregnant then its her fault! Not the pharmacy! Its not a life saving drug! That drug isnt neseccary to maintain someones health and well being! It shuold be left up to the owners of the store. Unless your a socialist that believes goverment regulation is the answer!

You cant blame the pharmacy for the stupidity of the girl that got knocked up! End of story!

It's not only about what you would call abortion like actions, it's about selling birth control as well. Birth control isn't about keeping your legs closed, it's about being safe and not irresponsibly getting pregnant.

Government regulation isn't characteristic of socialism. The US government regulates, in fact we have more restrictions than many socialist like countries.

__________________
Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.
-Dr. Carl Sagan

It does -- but the issue gets murky because we'd also like to protect the pharmacist from having to dispense something he or she believes is immoral. The middle ground is to require the "conscientious objector" to refer the patient to another pharmacist (ideally at the same location).

Regarding a private business being able to decide what to sell -- certainly that is true for anything over the counter, but some states have begun to force stores to carry the "morning after" birth control pill.

Personally, the idea of a "contraceptive-free" drugstore doesn't bother me in the slightest, the only hitch being -- as StarryStarrySkies noted -- the (perhaps unlikely) case where there are no other pharmacies in the region.

I would think that this applies to the US as well. If this is the case then I also disagree with the pharmacist that owns his business and chooses to send people away.

__________________
Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.
-Dr. Carl Sagan

The pharmacist decided on his own to become a pharmacist. He spent his money to go to school, took the risk to start his own business, suffers the consequences if the business fails.

He should have the right to determine what he sells.

__________________

Liberals believe it is okay to kill babies, but not terrorists.

democrats believe it is okay to taser a 10 year old if this stance will get their guy elected.

If it is required that one must sell to every customer regardless of that listed above, then there should be no murkiness. Every customer means every customer.

There are many places that have one food store, one liquor store, one drug store, one school, etc. These places shouldn't turn anyone away.

Also, thanks for not closing this thread. I should have looked for a similar one but the other seems to be huge anyway.

__________________
Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.
-Dr. Carl Sagan

Not if he is required to take an oath to sell to every customer. They had this problem with physicians as well - not taking a patient because of religion and such. It's against the oath.

__________________
Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.
-Dr. Carl Sagan