Pharmacy Refusals

Refusals to fill prescriptions for contraception and to provide emergency contraception (EC) over-the-counter are an increasing problem across the country. Refusals to provide contraception constitute a serious erosion of reproductive rights and impede women's access to critical health care. This fact sheet provides the context around this growing problem.

There have been increasing reports of pharmacists and pharmacies refusing to fill women’s prescriptions for birth control, including emergency contraception (the “morning-after pill” or EC).  These refusals are based on personal beliefs, not on legitimate medical or professional concerns.  The same pharmacists who refuse to dispense contraceptives often refuse to transfer a woman’s prescription to another pharmacist or to refer her to another pharmacy.  These refusals can have devastating consequences for women’s health.