Pope Urges Pharmacists to Refuse to Dispense Contraceptives
Pope Benedict XVI on Monday urged a conference of Catholic pharmacists to avoid dispensing emergency contraception or euthanasia drugs by being conscientious objectors. He went on to tell the attendees that they should inform patients of the ethical implications of using such drugs, reports the Associated Press. The pharmacists were in the Vatican for the 25th International Congress of Catholic Pharmacists.
The issue is also coming to a head in Chile. Sale of the morning-after pill was authorized there last year under the Bachelet government, but the country’s three largest drug store chains were still not stocking the emergency contraceptive. The chains claimed they could not buy the drug locally, but the government fined them for not complying. Meanwhile, the government took this excuse away by importing doses of the emergency contraceptive that the chains can buy, reports the International Herald Tribune.
One of the drug store chains issued a statement calling the emergency contraceptive "abortive" and expressing "conscientious objection" to selling it. Deputy Health Minister Lidia Amarales, warned on Monday that "the health code allows us to even close a pharmacy" for refusing to sell the morning-after pill.
Media Resources: Associated Press 10/29/07; Reuters 10/30/07; International Herald Tribune 10/30/07
12/12/2013 Feminist Majority Celebrates Introduction of Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act (FAMILY Act) - WASHINGTON -- Feminist Majority today celebrates and applauds Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) for introducing the critically-needed paid family medical leave legislation.
The Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act (FAMILY Act) will allow workers to take paid time off to address a serious illness of their own, a spouse, parent or child or to care for a new baby or adopted child. . . .
12/12/2013 Senate Confirms Two Women To DC Circuit Court - The US Senate confirmed Patricia Millett and Nina Pillard to the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit this week, making this the first time the court has had five active female judges.The court is the second most important in the US because of its jurisdiction over most federal agencies.
The Senate confirmed Patricia Millett by a 56-38 vote on Tuesday. . . .
12/12/2013 Michigan Will Require Extra Abortion Insurance Fee - Michigan's legislature approved an extra insurance fee for abortions Wednesday, making it the 24th state to ban most coverage of safe abortion care in the new insurance exchanges. . . .
