Editorial: Dispensing medicine or religion

Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2006 | 8:57 a.m.

The Nevada State Board of Pharmacy and Nevada lawmakers are at an impasse over whether pharmacists should be allowed to refuse to fill prescriptions that violate their personal moral or religious beliefs.

The contentious national debate, which was highlighted in a Las Vegas Sun story Monday, revolves around dispensing emergency contraception or the so-called "morning-after pill." Some pharmacists, because of their religious beliefs, are opposed to filling such prescriptions.

The state Board of Pharmacy was to issue some guidelines last month. But the board backed off after state lawmakers said the issue is a politically hot one that should be decided by the Legislature.

But Nevada lawmakers can't reach a decision. Nevada was one of 15 states that considered, but failed to pass, legislation on the issue last year. Proposed legislation banning conscience-based refusals also died in Nevada's 2003 session. Four states allow such refusals. Only one state, Illinois, prohibits them. The Planned Parenthood Federation of America says pharmacists in at least 10 states have denied filling prescriptions for emergency contraception and even birth control pills.

Caliente's only pharmacist told Sun reporter Molly Ball that as a devout Mormon he is opposed to the use of the morning-after pill. Still, if he refused, patients would have to drive 110 miles to the next-closest pharmacy, which is in Utah. "My religion is against it, but as a professional I feel I can't be," the pharmacist told the Sun.

It is unfortunate that members of the state Board of Pharmacy and Nevada Legislature can't see it as clearly. Pharmacists are duty-bound to dispense whatever medicines a physician orders for a patient. Pharmacists who aren't up to the task should find another line of work.