National Women's Law Center

For Immediate Release: Thursday, April 14, 2005

Contact: Ranit Schmelzer or Jenice Robinson, 202-588-5180

STATEMENT OF JUDY WAXMAN, NWLC VICE PRESDIENT FOR HEALTH AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

( Washington, DC) – Following is a statement by Judy Waxman, National Women’s Law Center Vice President for Health and Reproductive Rights at a Capitol Hill news conference announcing the introduction of the Access to Legal Pharmaceuticals Act.

“On behalf of the National Women’s Law Center, I want to thank Senator Lautenberg and Representative Maloney for introducing this important legislation, which would stop pharmacies from denying the sale of prescribed medications to individuals.

“It’s unfortunate that in this day there is any level of debate over women’s access to basic health services. The bottom line is that no individual’s personal beliefs should stand in the way of another person’s access to basic health care, including valid prescriptions for contraceptives.

“Across the country, pharmacy refusals are happening at major drugstore chains, such as Walgreens, Osco, K-Mart, CVS, and Eckerd, regardless of company policy. It’s happening at independently owned drug stores as well. This bill would ensure that a woman can enter a pharmacy with a valid contraceptive prescription issued by her health provider and can count on leaving that pharmacy with her medication in hand, her dignity in tact and without being subjected to a moralistic lecture.

“Let’s not forget that access to contraception is vital to women – and men. It prevents unwanted pregnancies and enables women to control the timing and spacing of their pregnancies. Contraceptive use is virtually universal among women of reproductive age.

“Senator Lautenberg and Representative Maloney have taken a firm stand for women’s right to have their basic health care needs met at the pharmacy.”

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To learn more about NWLC’s pharmacy refusal work, visit http://www.nwlc.org/details.cfm?id=2185&section=health.