Docs want to dispense drugs if pharmacists won't due to "ethics"

CHICAGO (Reuters Health) - The American Medical Association wants legislation that will allow physicians to dispense drugs when pharmacists say their consciences will not allow them to fill prescriptions for contraceptives, painkillers and mood stabilizers.

The AMA says conscientious objection by pharmacists is a major public health problem in many areas of the country.

To solve the problem, the AMA's policy-making House of Delegates voted Monday to ask for changes in state laws so that physicians can dispense medications when there is no "willing pharmacist within 30 miles."

Some pharmacists first balked at filling prescriptions for oral contraceptives and the emergency contraceptive pill called Plan B. But a coalition of medical specialty societies, including the American College of Physicians and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), now claims the refusals have spread to medications for mental conditions and pain medicines.

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So now we have yet another prejudice to overcome? What ever happened to the hipocratic oath? Or do pharmacists forgo that for their own gain? And what the hell do mental illnesses and pain killers have to do with ethics? Like no one is supposed to be mentally ill or in pain if they're ethical? GEESH !