Re:
Draft Code of Ethics for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians
Ontario College of Pharmacists (DRAFT 3, March 22, 2005)
Project Letter to Minister of Health (Ontario)
19 September, 2005 (By Fax)
Mr. George Smitherman,
Minister of Health and Long Term Care,
80 Grosvenor St, 10th Flr, Hepburn Block
Toronto ON M7A 2C4
Dear Mr. Smitherman:
I am writing to you as the Minister responsible for
the Ontario Health Professions Regulatory Advisory
Council ("HPRAC") because I have not received an
answer to an e-mail sent on to Karen Lane, HPRAC
Consultation Co-ordinator. The text of the message
to Ms. Lane follows:
I understand that the Ontario College of
Pharmacists has made a recommendation to the
OHPRAC to the effect that freedom of conscience
ought to be denied to pharmacists and pharmacy
technicians. I am advised by concerned
pharmacists that those who would have objected
to this were unaware that the College was
contemplating such a recommendation and were not
consulted about it. Similarly, it does not
appear that groups representing the interests of
religious believers who might be adversely
impacted by the adoption of such a
recommendation were notified. Certainly, the
Project, which has corresponded with the College
in the past on the subject, was unaware that the
College had taken such a drastic step.
The College cannot have been unaware that this
is a most controversial subject. The manner in
which it has proceeded is most unfortunate and
invites an adverse inference to be drawn with
respect to its attitude toward freedom of
conscience and religion.
I understand that the deadline for responses to
the College's submission has passed. However, I
am writing to determine whether or not an
extension will be given to permit submissions
from those hitherto denied a voice in the
proceedings. This would, at least, redress the
failure of the College of Pharmacists to consult
with those whose fundamental freedoms have been
jeopardized by its recommendation
If you do not have the authority to authorize an
extension, please provide me with the contact
information for the appropriate Deputy Minister
or Minister who would have such authority.
What is at issue here is a draft code of ethics
for Ontario's pharmacists that would authorize
persecution of any pharmacist who refuses to
dispense drugs for reasons of conscience. You can
obtain further information about this proposal at
[https://www.consciencelaws.org/repression/repression044.aspx]*
It is now the eve of the meeting of the last of a
series of invitation-only "focus groups." I am
disturbed that your Ministry is seeking the
endorsement of anonymous, invitation-only "focus
groups" to abrogate a fundamental freedom recognized
by the Charter of Rights. I am also troubled that
representatives of conscientious objectors were
excluded from the process that produced the
controversial draft.
I request that you authorize an extension of the
time permitted for the making of submissions to the
end of December, 2005, so that the Project and other
interested parties may investigate and respond to
the proposal from the Ontario College of
Pharmacists.
Sincerely,
Sean Murphy,
Administrator
cc: Mr. John Tory, MLA
HPRAC
*Link updated
2012-11-01