Wal-Mart has finally succumbed to pressure and will begin selling Plan B emergency contraceptives in every one of its pharmacies beginning March 20.
The decision was announced just one day after Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said the state insurance plan "for 188,000 state employees and retirees should no longer cover prescriptions at Wal-Mart unless the retail giant agrees to stock emergency contraception pills."
Massachusetts and Illinois have both ordered the retail giant to stock emergency contraception (EC).
Walmart Watch has the victory statements from Planned Parenthood and NARAL.
But Wal-Mart will allow employees who object to birth control to refuse to fill prescriptions and refer customers to another pharmacist or pharmacy.
Chomiuk said the company will maintain its conscientious objection policy, which it said is consistent with the tenets of the American Pharmaceutical Association. The policy, except where prohibited by law, allows any Wal-Mart or Sam's Club pharmacy employee who does not feel comfortable dispensing a prescription to refer customers to another pharmacist or pharmacy.
Jeralyn at Talkleft asks: "Why do pharmacists get to refuse to provide the pill? Do supermarket cashiers get to refuse to ring up meat because they are vegetarians?"
The blogger has a point. Meat is a morally reprehensible product to vegetarians, as are products such as cow's milk to vegans. Yet cashiers and servers are doing their jobs in spite of their personal views. Perhaps they should follow the example of pharmacists. How about it PETA? Or maybe Vegankid wants to work on this one?
If pharmacists can't do their jobs, they should be fired.
Hat tip to Vanessa at Feministing
Wal-Mart EC Morning After Pill Reproductive Rights Feminism Birth Control Plan B
