'Morning-after pill? It's against my religion'

Eve Dugdale

May 22, 2008

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A MUSLIM pharmacist told a couple he couldn't give them emergency contraception because it was against his religious beliefs

Chris Mellett and Kaye Walsh went to a Sainburys chemist to buy the morning-after pill but were told they couldn't have it - because the pharmacist didn't agree with it.

Mum-of-two Kaye said: "I was absolutely flabbergasted. I'm a 36-year-old woman, not a child. I respect other people's religions, but when it affects my life it's not on.

"Surely the pharmacist has a duty of care? If religion comes into it he should change his job."

Their usual form of contraception failed on Friday night, so by Sunday the 72-hour deadline for taking the pill was fast approaching.

The couple, from Shelley Grove, Droylsden were told to go to Sainsburys in Denton but with 15 minutes from closing time they knew they wouldn't be able to make it.

Mr Mellett, 29, said: "I should have been more organised but why should we be discriminated against because of someone else's religion? It's my right to buy that pill."

A spokeswoman for Sainsburys said all its pharmacists were governed by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

The society's ethics code says if the morning-after pill is against a pharmacist's personal, religious or moral beliefs they are within their rights not to supply it.

The spokesman said: "We would ask our pharmacists to do their best to help, to find another colleague to dispense the pill or to direct them to another pharmacy nearby."

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Aunty Glo, Great Manchester (22/05/2008 at 09:35)

Fine that's OK he's entitled to his belief,but he should be made to employ another person(at his own expense)who is able to dispense this pill

Guten Tag (22/05/2008 at 09:35)

This pharmacist should be removed from their position. They are there to provide/supply a service to the public and that service includes contraception. If we all had a choice on what we liked or didn't like in our workplaces, anarchy would prevail!

Dr Ant (22/05/2008 at 09:39)

This story is all too frequent; one person imposing their religious beliefs on others to the detriment of their healthcare needs.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society should follow the recent lead of the General Medical Council (the doctors' regulatory body). Doctors have been told to put our own beliefs aside if this is in the interests of our patients.

At the very least, any pharmacist who objects to provision of certain normally available services should advertise this so that people are under no illusions about the restricted services available from that particular pharmacy.

Doctors who refuse to provide services are seriously challenged if we don't fully explain the options and redirect people to another practitioner who doesn't have such objections.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society should revisit its guidance before more people are disadvantaged by such prejudice.

Munkey Boy, Audenshaw, Manchester (22/05/2008 at 09:49)

No-one's asking him to take it though?

He's obviously not fit for this position, I think he needs to reconsider his career options.

john] (22/05/2008 at 10:15)

Islam also prohibits alcohol but that doesn't stop many muslim owned and run off-licences selling booze to our kids.

Mark Spencer, Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire. (22/05/2008 at 10:16)

He would be hard pressed to find in the Holy Quran where it is written so. He could possibly stone the woman to death for having sex outside marriage though.

suge, mancs (22/05/2008 at 10:21)

"The society's ethics code says if the morning-after pill is against a pharmacist's personal, religious or moral beliefs they are within their rights not to supply it." Don't blame him he was within his rights to refuse, blame the ethics code for giving him that choice.

ajr010670, Altrincham (22/05/2008 at 10:35)

The issue here is not to do with contraception. The morning after pill works by aborting a fertilised embryo (if conception has actually occured), not by preventing conception. That is why many people are against the 'morning after pill'. With this clarification, I think it is clear that Religious and ethical beliefs are an issue. No Doctor is forced to provide abortion to a pregnant woman, so why should a pharmacist be any different?

I myself have, in a professional capacity, advised some young women of the option of the morning after pill, even though I disagree with its use. In my advice, I do actually make reference to what it actually is, as opposed to falsly claiming that it is emergency contraception.

On a different line, if the contraception used by this couple failedf on Friday night, why did they not seek assistance prior to the last 15 minutes of a shop being open on the Sunday?

Pandora (22/05/2008 at 10:41)

England is not a muslim country. The pharmacist has no right to refuse the pill due to his religious beliefs, what nonsense. Keep religion out of schools and the workplace!

chris (22/05/2008 at 10:55)

religion is a personal thing, it should not be mixed with work. if he's unhappy about it then thats fine but he should provide alternatives.

Melandra (22/05/2008 at 11:26)

What are we coming to, it was her choice, sensible woman at least she realised a child is a lifelong commitment and chose to NOT risk having that commitment. As for Saisburys and all other dispensing outlets make sure that any employee who is customer facing doesnt put their customers freedom of choice at risk or make any customer feel as though they are doing something wrong, with attitudes like that where religion is brought into freedom of choice is it any wonder unwanted pregnancy rates are so high, imagine if that had been a schoolgirl I would imagine she wouldnt have thought to ask for another assistant and the long term effect would have been totally detrimental to her. Read the papers we have just seen a child starve to death where was the religious belief then.

Munkey Boy, Audenshaw, Manchester (22/05/2008 at 11:31)

I wouldn't dream of imposing my personal religious beliefs on others, and it's highly unprofessional to do so in any capacity while at work. Do what you want in your spare time, but don't discriminate against me because I don't happen to share your religion.

I agree with the previous poster that the ethics code needs a serious revision to remove religious belief from the equation. The law of the land is the only thing that should be relevant.

the_hyrax_lord (22/05/2008 at 11:42)

This is probably the first news story I've read in a long time that has actually made me angry. By refusing them the pill (and surely, he should only have that right on professional, medical grounds), he is potentially forcing them into a position where they may have to have an abortion (an often harrowing experience) or even have a child which they may not be able to support. I agree with those who say the RPS needs to rethink its guidelines.

Mr Manchester (22/05/2008 at 11:42)

I do believe he should have the right to sell whatever he prefers if this is his own business.

Karney for head of GMPTA(formerly MC Spanner) (22/05/2008 at 11:48)

"The morning after pill works by aborting a fertilised embryo"

Not really. It is closer to a prevention rather than an "abortion"

ace, manchester (22/05/2008 at 12:33)

People should stop using this chemist because his religion is against our christian values? maybe this would make this chemist accept the community he lives and earns his living in.If these people dont like the community or the culture they live in (christian) maybe they should move to a islamic country where they can pratice their beleifs without problems.(when in rome)is the real issue.

littlemancminx (22/05/2008 at 12:52)

Since when does the morning after pill abort a fertalised embryo??

The morning after pill is used to prevent this from actually happening!

This man has made me so angry who the hell does he think he is?

This is not a muslim contry he should go and live in one!

suge, mancs (22/05/2008 at 12:57)

ace, manchester christians are against the pill too.

suge, mancs (22/05/2008 at 13:02)

"ajr010670, Altrincham" what a valid point you made there, why were they running around 15mins before the shops shut on sunday when the contra apparently failed on Friday.

Mr Manchester (22/05/2008 at 13:10)

The chemist has every right to sell what he wants, regardless of the so-called Christian country we are in.

How many people are suddenly Christian when it suits them, amazes me. Are they all attending mass on Sunday?

jomov, Manchester (22/05/2008 at 13:11)

If these so called religious beliefs don't allow contraception to be used I just hope they aren't dependant upon benefits to raise their kids.

AH, Manchester (22/05/2008 at 13:32)

if he can't provide a service then he shouldn't be running a pharmacy! Thank god there are a jehovas witness's employed as surgeons in the NHS!

PW, Manchester (22/05/2008 at 13:38)

I may not believe what his religion teaches. So, in that case who does get the upper hand? Do I give in to him, or does he give in to me?

Or do we call it quits and just respect each other's beliefs?

Mr Manchester (22/05/2008 at 13:43)

It's probably best you don't take such a pill, PW.

In which case, you should give in to him.

PW, Manchester (22/05/2008 at 14:02)

Quite correct Mr Manchester.

Even though it's impossible for me to have babies as a male, I should campaign for my rights to. As in Judean Peoples' Front etc.

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