Partners in Access: A Toolkit for Working with State Pharmacy Boards to Stop Refusals in the Pharmacy

State advocates can play a key role in stopping refusals in the pharmacy by working with state pharmacy boards. Pharmacy boards are state administrative agencies that have the power to enforce pharmacy laws, develop pharmacy regulations and policies, and discipline pharmacists and pharmacies. They wield enormous power and are usually easier to approach and quicker to act than legislatures. Pharmacy boards have taken the lead across the country in ensuring patient access to medication at the pharmacy.

The National Women's Law Center has developed a step-by-step toolkit for advocates to work with state pharmacy boards, Partners in Access: Working with State Pharmacy Boards to Stop Refusals in the Pharmacy.

Reports & Toolkits

Partners in Access: Working with State Pharmacy Boards to Stop Refusals in the Pharmacy: Introduction
June 9, 2008
Learn why working with state pharmacy boards is one of the best ways to address the growing problem of refusals in the pharmacy and how this Reports & Toolkits can help you in doing so. Read more...
Partners in Access Appendix A: States That Have Taken a Position on Pharmacist Refusals
June 9, 2008
Appendix A provides a list of states that have taken a position on pharmacist refusals, with details on the position and how it was passed, whether by the pharmacy board or state legislature. Read more...
Partners in Access: Working with State Pharmacy Boards to Stop Refusals in the Pharmacy: Appendix A: States That Have Taken a Position on Pharmacist Refusals
June 9, 2008
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Partners in Access: Working with State Pharmacy Boards to Stop Refusals in the Pharmacy: Appendix B: Elements of a Model
June 9, 2008
Appendix B explains the elements of a model "duty to dispense" rule or policy. Read more...
Partners in Access: Working with State Pharmacy Boards to Stop Refusals in the Pharmacy: Appendix C: Sample Complaint to the Pharmacy Board in the Event of a Refusal
June 9, 2008
Appendix C is a sample complaint to the pharmacy board in the event of a refusal. Read more...
Partners in Access: Working with State Pharmacy Boards to Stop Refusals in the Pharmacy: Appendix D: Resources
June 9, 2008
Appendix D is a list and description of resources. Read more...
Partners in Access: Working with State Pharmacy Boards to Stop Refusals in the Pharmacy: Endnotes
June 9, 2008
Endnotes to Partners in Access: Working with State Pharmacy Boards to Stop Refusals in the Pharmacy Read more...
Partners in Access: Working with State Pharmacy Boards to Stop Refusals in the Pharmacy: Section 1: Assessing Whether Your State Pharmacy Board is Likely to Take a Position on the Issue of Refusals in the Pharmacy
June 9, 2008
Before approaching the pharmacy board, "get to know" the board members, staff, and board positions. Read more...
Partners in Access: Working with State Pharmacy Boards to Stop Refusals in the Pharmacy: Section 2: What to Do if You Have a Non-Receptive Board
June 9, 2008
If your research shows that the board is not receptive to developing affirmative policies to protect patient access, you still have options. Read more...
Partners in Access: Working with State Pharmacy Boards to Stop Refusals in the Pharmacy: Section 3: Actions You Can Encourage Your Pharmacy Board to Take
June 9, 2008
Your board has many options to ensure women are not denied access to contraception at the pharmacy. Read more...
Partners in Access: Working with State Pharmacy Boards to Stop Refusals in the Pharmacy: Section 4: Methods and Tips for Approaching Your Board
June 9, 2008
Prepare before approaching your board by building coalitions, gathering evidence, developing your arguments, and creating a media strategy. Read more...
Partners in Access: Working with State Pharmacy Boards to Stop Refusals in the Pharmacy: Section 5: What to Do After You Have a Law, Rule, or Policy on Refusals in the Pharmacy
June 9, 2008
Even if you succeed in persuading your board to adopt a rule or policy on refusals, your work is not over. Read more...
Partners in Access: Working with State Pharmacy Boards to Stop Refusals in the Pharmacy: Section 6: Other Things You Can Ask Your Board to Do
June 9, 2008
If your board will not address refusals, there are other tacks you can pursue that may be less controversial but still beneficial to consumer access. Read more...
Partners in Access: A Toolkit for Working with State Pharmacy Boards to Stop Refusals in the Pharmacy
January 31, 2008

State pharmacy boards are your friends, not your foes!
Work with them to ensure patient access to contraception in the pharmacy

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Webinars & Presentations

Partners in Access: Working with State Pharmacy Boards to Stop Refusals in the Pharmacy Presentation
February 21, 2008
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