Wal-Mart Policy on Plan B and Pharmacists' Opt Out
January 26, 2007--Below is a message a Right to Life member received from the Wal-Mart company stating the company's policy on dispensing Plan B Emergency Contraception and its policy for pharmacists who do not want to do so.
This is in light of the recent controversy when Pharmacist of Conscience Brent Beams, of Urbana, OH, declined to fill a Plan B abortion pill request for an unmarried couple at the Springfield, OH Wal Mart where he practices. The woman was alleged to be 21 and the man 37 (seen above). Contrary to false reports in the drive-by media, pharmacist Beams did not laugh or in any way demean the intended users of this high powered steroid. In fact, the woman and man became verbally abusive and hostile when Beams stood by his principles.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Walmart.com Help" <help@walmart.com>
Sent: Friday, January 19, 2007 8:24 PM
Thank you for contacting us at Walmart.com. Your comments and concerns are very important to us as we strive to meet your needs. Until recently, Wal-Mart and SAM'S CLUB pharmacies sold emergency contraception only in Illinois, where state law required us to do so.
In February, a ruling by the state Board of Pharmacy required all of our pharmacies in Massachusetts to stock and dispense the product.
Pressure to introduce similar requirements is building in Connecticut and New York, and we expect other states to follow suit.
In light of these developments, all Wal-Mart and SAM'S CLUB pharmacies will immediately begin carrying Plan B emergency contraception.
As of March 20, 2006 all of our pharmacies have received their initial stock.
The company is maintaining its conscientious objection policy, which is consistent with the tenets of the American Pharmaceutical Association. This policy, except where prohibited by law, allows any Wal-Mart or SAM'S CLUB pharmacy Associate who does not feel comfortable dispensing a prescription for certain medications [those which are not considered core to the practice of pharmacy], including Plan B emergency contraception, to refer customers to another pharmacist or pharmacy as spelled out in our policy. We do require that these Associates fulfill their obligation to help customers by referring them to another pharmacy that stocks the product.
These decisions have been made after very careful consideration. We believe that we are doing what is best for the business, while respecting our individual associates.
Again, we thank you for your comments and / or questions regarding this issue.
If we may be of further assistance, please email us at help@walmart.com,
or call us at 1-800-966-6546. We're here to serve you from 6:00 AM CST to 1:00 AM CST, 7 days a week!
Sincerely,
#####
Customer Service at Walmart.com
adapted from RIGHT TO LIFE OF GREATER CINCINNATI