DISTURBING PHARMACY TRENDS

I have not posted here for a very long time because I've been busy writing emails about politics and other things I care about and forwarding them to people on my email lists. Now, I will put me ruminations here and see what comes up. This government of ours has been making me mad for a long time, but every once in a while something comes to my attention that is even more unbearable than the other issues. That issue for me right now is concerning Pharmacies and how persists are being allowed to force their religious beliefs on their customers. You can see the particulars at the link above. As a friend of mine who is a retired Pharmacist said, what's next? "Will it be physicians who will not treat a patient who is bleeding to death because the patient is a physician who has performed abortions, or even worse is merely pro-abortion? Alternatively, if a patient or a prescribing physician doesn't agree with the pharmacist's religious views on abortion, can he decide not to fill any prescription for that patient, even if it is not a contraceptive? In fact, why shouldn't pharmacists control all drugs in this country and decide who is to get what based upon the pharmacists religious beliefs. There are individuals who believe that killing any living thing, even an ant, is immoral. Therefore, can a pharmacist with such a belief refuse to dispense antibiotics because they kill bacteria?" My question is this. Isn't this illegal? Can't a patient or prescribing physican sue the Pharmacist or the Pharmacy for not filling a perfecly legal prescription? If there are any legal people out there, please do enlighten me. Oh, and one more thing. Here is the auto-response email that Walmart, one of the guilty Pharmacies, sent me in response to my complaint about the issue.

Dear Valued Customer,Thank you for contacting us at Walmart.com regarding women?s prescriptions for birth control. Your comments and concerns are very important to us as we strive to meet your needs. Wal-Mart does not carry emergency contraceptives. Our pharmacists may decline to fill a prescription based on personal convictions. However, they must find another pharmacist, either at Wal-Mart or another pharmacy, who can assist you by filling your prescription.Again, we thank you for your comments regarding this issue.Sincerely,Custo