Testimony of Pharmacist Re: Wisconsin Senate Bill 21

The physician was adamant that I had to fill whatever he prescribed, even though I explained my conscience would not allow me to do that. He threatened that my supervisor would find out about this, and I feared that my job could be in jeopardy. I was harassed for my beliefs, and my dignity as a person was attacked.

Thank you for being here to listen to my testimony in support of SB 21. As a pharmacist licensed in the state of WI, I have experienced first hand the fear of being fired for my religious, moral, or ethical beliefs, and realize how important this bill is for the future of pharmacy. First let me explain the current state of the pharmacy profession.

As you may know, there is a shortage of health care workers. Pharmacists, especially, are in very high demand. If pharmacists are being fired or not allowed equal opportunities because they object to dispensing medications that cause abortions or death of an individual person, we are doing society and our great State of Wisconsin an injustice. We are really limiting access to quality health care professionals, because these are the same pharmacists that screen for drug interactions, allergies, contraindications, etc. for the safety and welfare of the patient. We work with doctors, physician assistants, and nurses to improve patient's medications regimens and make them safer. Our knowledge and expertise help to ensure patient safety as our number one priority.

As a pharmacist, I exercise professional judgment in refusing to dispense medications on a daily basis. I object to dispensing medications that may harm a patient, because of a drug interaction, allergy, or because their kidneys or other organs are failing, thus causing the drug to accumulate, resulting in permanent disability, seizures, or life-threatening circumstances. I have experienced these situations countless times and have prevented potential life threatening situations from occurring, usually by contacting the prescriber to withhold the medication. Most physicians appreciate our insight and recommendations. Just because a doctor prescribes a medication does not mean they are aware of the potential harm it could do, since they may not be privy to all the information the pharmacist has. Yes, I have respect for physicians and their prescriptive authority and medical expertise. However, I would say to those who think we should dispense whatever the doctor prescribes, would you want a pharmacist that acts like a robot? Would a physician want us to dispense a medication that the patient has had a serious allergy to in the past, no questions asked? If we are forced to dispense what the physician prescribes, without exercising our expertise, knowledge, professional judgment and conscience, our patients would be in serious trouble.

Conscientious objection is nothing new in our profession. Ask any pharmacist how many times during the day they call a doctor to change a medication because of its potential harm to the patient. Why is refusal to dispense birth control or the morning-after-pill any different? Based on scientific fact and numerous published studies, we know that these medications can harm our patient (the woman), and they can also destroy a newly conceived life as well. We are here to preserve life, not to harm it.

Pharmacists should have the right like any health professional to define their scope of practice and practice with integrity and dignity. We, like our patients, should not be treated as a means to an end. It is not right to force someone to do something against their conscience.

I currently work in the pharmacy department of a hospital. I have chosen hospital pharmacy because I love my position. I am challenged constantly and have direct contact with the health care team. We rarely dispense medications to the general public, thus avoiding medications that can cause abortions. However, I have had to refuse to dispense the emergency abortion pill, a.k.a. morning-after-pill, when a patient presented a prescription from the ER. I was verbally abused and yelled at when I kindly told her I could not fill it. It was reported to the ER, and they voiced their harsh disagreement with my actions. The physician was adamant that I had to fill whatever he prescribed, even though I explained my conscience would not allow me to do that. He threatened that my supervisor would find out about this, and I feared that my job could be in jeopardy. I was harassed for my beliefs, and my dignity as a person was attacked.

No one, including pharmacy technicians, should be forced to participate if they object due to creed.

Do we want intelligent, people-oriented, life-saving pharmacists stuck away in some repetitious mail-order pharmacy because they cannot find an employer that will honor their right to have a conscience as a person? NO! These are the pharmacists we want in retail, hospital, and ambulatory care settings, where they can do the most good for the benefit of many patients, contributing to the overall health and well-being of the community.

Pharmacy is one of the most highly trusted professions. If you take away our right to a conscience, then you take away the trust.