Pharmacy Refusals

Refusals to fill prescriptions for emergency and other contraceptives are rising. We’re working to defend women’s access to these prescriptions.

More Resources

Fact Sheet | Drugstore Dilemma: What to do if Your Pharmacy Won’t Give You Birth Control Pills or Emergency Contraception (the “Morning-After Pill”)

April 22, 2012

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.

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Fact Sheet | Accessing Non-Prescription Emergency Contraception: The Basics

April 22, 2012

This factsheet provides basic information on types of emergency contraception and answers frequently asked questions regarding obtaining and using EC. 

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Fact Sheet | Pharmacy Access to Emergency Contraception

April 22, 2012

Until the FDA approves all EC products for non-prescription use by women of all ages, pharmacy access is an important mechanism to ensure that those seeking to prevent pregnancy have every opportunity to do so.  This factsheet explain the benefits of pharmacy access to emergency contraception and the obstacles currently in place.

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Fact Sheet | Emergency Contraception: Barriers to Access

April 22, 2012

Access to emergency contraception (EC or “the morning-after pill”) has greatly increased in the last few years. Yet barriers remain, preventing truly unencumbered access to this important method of pregnancy prevention.

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Reports & Toolkits | Duty First: Towards Patient-Centered Care and Limitations on the Right to Refuse for Moral, Religious, or Ethical Reasons

March 31, 2011

This article provides an overview of the harm to patients caused by refusals to provide health care based individuals’ or institutions’ religious, moral or ethical beliefs.  The article argues that any law or policy allowing health care providers to refuse services to patients must emphasize providers’ duty to their patients.   The article examines existing refusal laws, and describes how they contravene medical ethics and undermine established principles of quality medical care.  The article concludes with recommendations for heightened patient protections which limit the burden of refusals currently imposed on patients.

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