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A pharmacy chain was forced to apologize a second time after a woman was denied emergency contraception due to the pharmacist’s personal beliefs, a year after a similar incident at a different branch.
Charlotte, 41, who preferred not to give her last name, said she was “upset and humiliated” when she was told by the pharmacist at her local Lloyds Pharmacy branch in south London that he could not distribute the contraceptive “for religious reasons” .
Charlotte said the pharmacist told her she could order the contraceptive online and have it shipped to her, but did not ask her if it was urgent or give her other options or advice during the incident Wednesday last week.
“I was paralyzed, I didn’t know what to say,” she said. “You have to take the medication in five days, and I was in four days, so it was actually quite urgent, but I shouldn’t have to justify it. I’m not normally someone who loses his words, but I was stunned. I felt vulnerable and had no reason to be. “
Charlotte said she respected the pharmacist’s beliefs, but that this “should not invade a woman’s right to choose,” and asked Lloyds Pharmacy to do more to protect those seeking contraception.
“If there’s someone in the store who can’t prescribe the morning-after pill because of religious beliefs, the customer shouldn’t be the recipient of that,” he said. “I felt that their beliefs were imposed on me and that we should not live in that world. It is not personal for that lady, but Lloyds Pharmacy has to improve its policy, there needs to be training.
“If I am 40 years old and a mother, and I feel humiliated, I care about the youngest and most vulnerable girls.”
Last year, 41-year-old Siani, who also preferred to hide her last name, was denied pre-ordered emergency contraception at a Lloyds Pharmacy branch in Brighton. The pharmacist said the product was ready but that it would not be distributed for “personal reasons.”
According to the guidelines of the General Council of Pharmacists, pharmacists must “recognize their own values and beliefs, but … not impose them on other people.” They are also required to “take responsibility for ensuring that person-centered care is not compromised because of their personal values and beliefs.”
A Lloyds Pharmacy spokesperson said they were “extremely saddened” to confirm the incident and apologized for “any distress caused.” The company said the pharmacist in question was a “relief” pharmacist, rather than a full-time staff member.
“We support women’s choice and provide numerous contraceptive and sexual health services every day in our community pharmacies,” the spokeswoman said. “We fully respect the beliefs of pharmacists, but we expect them to follow the regulator’s guidelines responsibly in the profession.”
Lloyds Pharmacy said it had investigated the incident and would speak directly with the pharmacist “to make sure they are clear about our expectations and our process.”
The firm also said it was “continuing to strengthen our messages and training for pharmacists” on the application of religious beliefs and to ensure that customers have other options if pharmacists are not comfortable distributing drugs.
Julia Hogan, Contraception Lead Nurse at Marie Stopes UK, an NGO offering safe contraception and abortion internationally, said barriers to accessing emergency contraception could put “both health and well-being at risk” by denying give people a “second chance to avoid an unplanned pregnancy.”
“While most pharmacists provide compassionate and non-judgmental advice and support to women seeking emergency contraception, there are extremely worrying exceptions and pharmacies should work to ensure that women can access this essential medicine as soon as they need it.” Hogan said.
