by Jill Morrison, Senior Counsel
National Women's Law Center
Divine Mercy Care Pharmacy (billing itself as a “pro-life” pharmacy) in Chantilly, Virginia, is finally open, so women beware. You might remember our business plan for “Melanie’s Pro-Choice Bagel Emporium,” which actually made us laugh out loud, but here is why a pharmacy that won’t stock or sell condoms or contraceptives is no joke:
What if a woman who hasn’t seen the news stories goes to this pharmacy to purchase emergency contraception, and is told that EC is an abortion pill (and not an FDA-approved contraceptive)? What if she trusts the important pharmacist in the white coat, and doesn’t go to the nearby Walgreens to get it?
Contraceptives are crucial to the health of women and their families. Family planning allows women to space their pregnancies, resulting in healthier babies. It also allows women to bring chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes and depression under control before pregnancy.
While a woman should be able to get contraceptives, no questions asked and no justifications needed, I think it is telling that this pharmacy doesn’t provide contraceptives even if a woman can offer a reason she needs them for her health or life.
And what about the spread of HIV? This pharmacy will not stock condoms, but I would like to think that even most “morally righteous” pharmacist would have some empathy for a married woman whose husband contracted HIV through a blood transfusion.
A pharmacy and its employees are licensed for the protection of public health, and not to advance their own beliefs. They call themselves “pro-life”? Puh-lease!
Great post. I couldn't agree more!
Posted by: incurable hippie | November 13, 2008 at 03:02 PM
I just wanted to let you know that one of your co-workers submitted your post for the 68th Carnival of Feminists. A link to this post is now up at Fourth Wave. Thanks!
Posted by: fourthwave | November 12, 2008 at 02:04 PM
There is an issue related to preserving a women's choice that is too often neglected, namely how can the little women in the womb be given a choice to live, when the baby killers are at large?
Posted by: Ed G | October 23, 2008 at 05:50 PM