Wyoming AIDS
group concerned over pharmacy proposal

Officials with the Wyoming AIDS Project are concerned about a proposal that would allow pharmacists in the state to refuse to fill prescriptions based on their personal and religious beliefs, saying such a policy could allow pharmacists to deny antiretroviral drugs to HIV patients, the Billings [Mont.] Gazette reports. Project director Pamela Reamer Williams says the measure would allow antigay pharmacists who may assume that all HIV patients are gay to deny filling their lifesaving anti-HIV prescriptions.

"It is no secret to any of us that there are people in this state who have religious and moral objections to homosexuality," Williams said. "[The proposal] is so broad that any pharmacist with any personal belief that is contrary to any particular drug is allowed to refuse to fill a prescription."

The state pharmacy board is scheduled on October 5 to consider new rules that include a provision allowing pharmacists to deny filling prescriptions based on their personal or religious beliefs, as long as they tell clients about other pharmacies where they can get their prescriptions filled. Wyoming State Board of Pharmacy executive director Jim Carder says the proposal would protect patients by ensuring they're given adequate information on where they can get their prescriptions filled. "By drafting this rule, we're going to require steps be taken if they are going to refuse to fill the prescription," Carder said.

Opponents say the measure will allow religious conservatives and right-wing pharmacists to deny providing such medications as birth control pills and drugs to treat sexually transmitted diseases. (Advocate.com)