Comments on: “You’re not giving ME the pills because of YOUR religion?” http://www.humanistlife.org.uk/2010/03/youre-not-giving-me-the-pills-because-of-your-religion/ Humanist perspectives on the here and now Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:47:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Antony http://www.humanistlife.org.uk/2010/03/youre-not-giving-me-the-pills-because-of-your-religion/comment-page-1/#comment-669 Antony Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:46:44 +0000 http://www.humanistlife.org.uk/?p=1778#comment-669 @ P Dakers Epistemology is a curious thing, and as for ethics: Whether I agree that homeopathic pills shouldn't be on the shelves depends on which shelves we are talking about (for at least as long as it's legal to buy cigarettes - both come with a warning on the label). While I don't think refusing to sell homeopathic pills which are in stock would be a worthwhile stand for a pharmacist to take, I also don't think "just doing my job" is an adequate excuse for anything. @ P Dakers

Epistemology is a curious thing, and as for ethics: Whether I agree that homeopathic pills shouldn’t be on the shelves depends on which shelves we are talking about (for at least as long as it’s legal to buy cigarettes – both come with a warning on the label). While I don’t think refusing to sell homeopathic pills which are in stock would be a worthwhile stand for a pharmacist to take, I also don’t think “just doing my job” is an adequate excuse for anything.

]]> By: GrannyWeatherwax http://www.humanistlife.org.uk/2010/03/youre-not-giving-me-the-pills-because-of-your-religion/comment-page-1/#comment-668 GrannyWeatherwax Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:42:00 +0000 http://www.humanistlife.org.uk/?p=1778#comment-668 Surely , by refusing to fill this prescription the pharmacist in question is guilty of religious discrimination. She is implying that Janine's belief system is inferior to her own! Surely , by refusing to fill this prescription the pharmacist in question is guilty of religious discrimination. She is implying that Janine’s belief system is inferior to her own!

]]> By: P Dakers http://www.humanistlife.org.uk/2010/03/youre-not-giving-me-the-pills-because-of-your-religion/comment-page-1/#comment-667 P Dakers Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:13:08 +0000 http://www.humanistlife.org.uk/?p=1778#comment-667 @Antony Because the fact that homeopathy doesn't work is a fact, not a belief. See: http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/blog/2010/feb/22/mps-verdict-homeopathy-useless-unethical But they shouldn't refuse to sell you them if they are in stock. The thing is, they shouldn't BE in stock. It's sugar. If you want sugar, go to the shops. @Antony

Because the fact that homeopathy doesn’t work is a fact, not a belief. See:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/blog/2010/feb/22/mps-verdict-homeopathy-useless-unethical

But they shouldn’t refuse to sell you them if they are in stock.

The thing is, they shouldn’t BE in stock. It’s sugar. If you want sugar, go to the shops.

]]> By: Isabel http://www.humanistlife.org.uk/2010/03/youre-not-giving-me-the-pills-because-of-your-religion/comment-page-1/#comment-666 Isabel Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:43:28 +0000 http://www.humanistlife.org.uk/?p=1778#comment-666 This is the Pharmacist's oath in the USA. "I promise to devote myself to a lifetime of service to others through the profession of pharmacy. In fulfilling this vow: * I will consider the welfare of humanity and relief of suffering my primary concerns. * I will apply my knowledge, experience, and skills to the best of my ability to assure optimal outcomes for my patients. * I will respect and protect all personal and health information entrusted to me. * I will accept the lifelong obligation to improve my professional knowledge and competence. * I will hold myself and my colleagues to the highest principles of our profession’s moral, ethical and legal conduct. * I will embrace and advocate changes that improve patient care. * I will utilize my knowledge, skills, experiences, and values to prepare the next generation of pharmacists. I take these vows voluntarily with the full realization of the responsibility with which I am entrusted by the public.” By placing her religion above her duty to her patients, this Pharmacists would have broken such an oath. She should be disciplined and struck off her professional register. This is the Pharmacist’s oath in the USA.
“I promise to devote myself to a lifetime of service to others through the profession of pharmacy. In fulfilling this vow:
* I will consider the welfare of humanity and relief of suffering my primary concerns.
* I will apply my knowledge, experience, and skills to the best of my ability to assure optimal outcomes for my patients.
* I will respect and protect all personal and health information entrusted to me.
* I will accept the lifelong obligation to improve my professional knowledge and competence.
* I will hold myself and my colleagues to the highest principles of our profession’s moral, ethical and legal conduct.
* I will embrace and advocate changes that improve patient care.
* I will utilize my knowledge, skills, experiences, and values to prepare the next generation of pharmacists.
I take these vows voluntarily with the full realization of the responsibility with which I am entrusted by the public.”

By placing her religion above her duty to her patients, this Pharmacists would have broken such an oath. She should be disciplined and struck off her professional register.

]]> By: Antony http://www.humanistlife.org.uk/2010/03/youre-not-giving-me-the-pills-because-of-your-religion/comment-page-1/#comment-663 Antony Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:19:12 +0000 http://www.humanistlife.org.uk/?p=1778#comment-663 I'm shocked, and hope appropriate disciplinary action is taken. But one little thought is nagging me about this, and I'm not claiming it's the same thing, or anything, but: How would people feel about a pharmacist refusing to sell homoeopathic pills that the store stocked because of their belief that they're just sugar-pill placebos with no medicinal value which it would be unethical to sell? (it's possible this actually happened to me on the day of the 10^23 protest, though that probably wasn't the reason - and certainly wasn't the reason given - for why I had to find a regular-cashier instead). I'm asking because it's a scenario that I would feel quite ambivalent about. I’m shocked, and hope appropriate disciplinary action is taken. But one little thought is nagging me about this, and I’m not claiming it’s the same thing, or anything, but:

How would people feel about a pharmacist refusing to sell homoeopathic pills that the store stocked because of their belief that they’re just sugar-pill placebos with no medicinal value which it would be unethical to sell? (it’s possible this actually happened to me on the day of the 10^23 protest, though that probably wasn’t the reason – and certainly wasn’t the reason given – for why I had to find a regular-cashier instead).

I’m asking because it’s a scenario that I would feel quite ambivalent about.

]]> By: Sarah http://www.humanistlife.org.uk/2010/03/youre-not-giving-me-the-pills-because-of-your-religion/comment-page-1/#comment-659 Sarah Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:37:42 +0000 http://www.humanistlife.org.uk/?p=1778#comment-659 Right on P Dakers, I think this lady is in the wrong job. If she feels her religion stops her from carrying out her duties, it's time to seek other employment. Right on P Dakers, I think this lady is in the wrong job. If she feels her religion stops her from carrying out her duties, it’s time to seek other employment.

]]> By: jamesjones950 http://www.humanistlife.org.uk/2010/03/youre-not-giving-me-the-pills-because-of-your-religion/comment-page-1/#comment-658 jamesjones950 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:35:20 +0000 http://www.humanistlife.org.uk/?p=1778#comment-658 This would never have happened if the pharmacist's parents had used contraception. This would never have happened if the pharmacist’s parents had used contraception.

]]> By: P Dakers http://www.humanistlife.org.uk/2010/03/youre-not-giving-me-the-pills-because-of-your-religion/comment-page-1/#comment-649 P Dakers Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:00:44 +0000 http://www.humanistlife.org.uk/?p=1778#comment-649 Pharmacist refuses to do her job --> Pharmacist should be disciplined or fired. She had no right, whatsoever. It's about time discriminations like this be made illegal. The pharmacist has every right to believe that the pill is evil or whatever, but has no right to let this affect her fulfilling the terms of her employment contract without consequence. Especially when in the business of dealing out important drugs to people who need them. Pharmacist refuses to do her job –> Pharmacist should be disciplined or fired.

She had no right, whatsoever. It’s about time discriminations like this be made illegal. The pharmacist has every right to believe that the pill is evil or whatever, but has no right to let this affect her fulfilling the terms of her employment contract without consequence. Especially when in the business of dealing out important drugs to people who need them.

]]> By: Jeuan David Jones http://www.humanistlife.org.uk/2010/03/youre-not-giving-me-the-pills-because-of-your-religion/comment-page-1/#comment-646 Jeuan David Jones Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:50:05 +0000 http://www.humanistlife.org.uk/?p=1778#comment-646 Outrageous. Surely the pharmacist has no right to refuse because of her religion. Sounds similar to the Islington case where the registrar refused to conduct civil partnerships with gay couples. What next? young people at the checkouts refuse to process our purchases of alcohol because it's against their religion?! Outrageous.

Surely the pharmacist has no right to refuse because of her religion. Sounds similar to the Islington case where the registrar refused to conduct civil partnerships with gay couples.

What next? young people at the checkouts refuse to process our purchases of alcohol because it’s against their religion?!

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