Q&A: A question about Pharmicist’s and patients rights?

Question by soma366: A question about Pharmicist’s and patients rights?
I work in a pharmacy as a tech in Vermont. What is known as the “Plan B” is now considered OTC (Over the Counter) but is still within the pharmacy since it is still regulated by age. You must show ID but that is all, no script is required. Since the medication is behind the wall the 5-6 pharmacists that I work with on a daily basis still deny the sale, stating that we are simply out of stock and will be for a few weeks. This happens daily and the only way these women receive the medication they ask for is if I or another tech make it to the counter first. As I stated before I work in Vermont and the nearest pharmacy is over an hour away. Is this legal/ ethical? I have asked them to “pass” the customer to me or another tech as we have no problem selling the medication, but this has not solved the issue. I would simply like to know when they have crossed the line if they haven’t already.

I do understand that Pharmacists do have more rights as to bringing their religious rights into the workplace and that they can deny a sale based on any reasoning. I assume this is due to the shortage of good honest pharmacist. Thank you in advance for your answers!

Best answer:

Answer by Dave B
Must be a large pharmacy and may I suggest that you speak with your manager or someone outside the store, as this is highly unethical and may be illegal in a discrimminatory way. Obviously the pharmacy is in business to make money and if upper management knew what was going on, they may see it differently. You could also contact the media, perhaps anonymously, and stating you may have been a customer and saw the product but was still denied..

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