Dallas Observer : "Policy wank: In case you missed the news last week, The Associated Press reported that the three pharmacists at a Denton Eckerd drugstore who refused to fill a rape victim's prescription for a 'morning after' birth-control pill were fired for violating Eckerd policy (see the January 29 Buzz).

As Buzz first reported--that's right, we're bragging--the pharmacists objected that the pill could 'end life,' and they were morally opposed to dispensing it. (In some cases, the pill works by preventing a fertilized egg from implanting itself in the womb.)

Pharmacist Gene Herr objected that he wasn't aware that Eckerd had a policy prohibiting its pharmacists from withholding drugs for 'moral' reasons. 'In my mind, if I agree to work for someone knowing that's their policy, then I should submit to that policy. But I didn't even know about it,' Herr told AP writer Liz Austin.

Now, Buzz is admittedly weak when it comes to moral calculus, so help us with this one: Passing out the pill is tantamount to murder unless it's company policy.

Well, that certainly explains something Buzz was wondering about: If these pharmacists thought the pills were so bad, why didn't they flush them down the toilet to begin with? One possible reason: Eckerd takes inventory. See, it's a lot easier to take a moral stand on the backs of women who are unlikely to complain than it is to put your own butt on the line."
- posted by Sophont @ Saturday, February 21, 2004