QuestionHi. My question is is it legal for a doctor or pharmacist to refuse to write or fill a prescription for birth control, and what should a woman do if this happens to her?!
A female colleage and friend recently had this problem, and I was quite shocked. She has been on Depo-Provera for two years now. Her regular doctor was away on vacation, and has a substitute filling in for him. He told her he would NOT administer the injection, because it went against his beliefs. First of all, she was unmarried. And second of all, he does not believe in birth control because it goes against his religious beliefs. He then proceeded to lecture her about the "immorality" of premarital sex, and told her that Depo is actually a harmful and dangerous drug. He made her feel like she was doing something wrong! She was in tears when she left and didn't know what to do. She was able to find a walk-in clinic and get the shot, but she had to drive almost forty five minutes out of her way(we live in a very small rural community). That doesn't seem fair to me. Do you think a doctor should have the right to do this?
I did have one experience myself a while back, but that was with abortion. I told my family doctor(I have since gotten a new one!) tried to talk me out of having an abortion, and even tried to scare me. It was awful. I do not think this is right. Thanks.
Crystal
AnswerHi Sadie :)
This has been happening lately, and it's getting some attention, but not enough. They refuse to give women birth control because it doesn't fit in with their beliefs. And that's not ok-don't go into a profession where YOU KNOW you'll be dealing with things you don't agree with. Some states are passing "conscience clauses" where it allows pharmacists to refuse to fill your birth control prescription because they don't believe it's morally "right". Women have had to go to pharmacies/doctors MILES away because of the crap some medical "professionals" are pulling. I remember reading one woman had to drive 36 miles to another pharmacy. What the woman should do is complain, and make it known that this IS NOT OK. But that's not always easy to do, so it's definitely best to see another doctor/pharmacist.
What happened to your friend is absolutely unacceptable. I don't think a doctor should have any right to do this. They are choosing to go into that profession, and if they don't like what that profession means, then they need to get another one. It's none of his damn business! He basically tried to control her sexual life, which is so appalling.Also, what she may want to do is call the doctor's office ahead of time, to make sure she'll be able to get her birth control. She shouldn't have to do this, but it's better to check than be stuck with an awful doctor who doesn't mind their own business.
Right now, the bush administration is trying to pass something that would make it so doctors and nurses can be hired even if they believe birth control and abortion are wrong-even though these are a part of their jobs in many cases. And also to define birth control AS abortion. It's frightening, and just shows the misogyny around today.
What that doctor did to you is also unacceptable. You should be presented with all the facts and options, and be allowed to make your own decision. Basically, these people are not trusting women to make decisions about their own bodies, and that's incredibly sad, and the consequences of such thinking are good for no one.
