I’ve heard some pharmacists point out that that doctors are allowed to make moral judgment calls under some circumstances and refuse certain treatments against a patient’s wish. They believe that pharmacists should be allowed the same latitude. However this argument is flawed, as the doctor-patient relationship is the central focus of medical treatment. It is an intimate point of trust between the physician and the patient seeking treatment. A patient cannot be expected to place the same level of trust in a pharmacist as he does with his doctor. In fact, when these renegade pharmacists refuse to fill a prescription, their action (or inaction) interferes with this doctor-patient relationship. I think the doctor is in a better position to know what is the best treatment option for the patient. It is not up to the pharmacist to second-guess the moral compass of either the doctor or patient. The pharmacist’s job is to follow the will of the doctor and patient and provide the medication the doctor has chosen for the patient.

The pharmacist performs a very important, yet perfunctory role in medicine. They are empowered to make sure the patient is getting the correct medication, at the correct dosage. Pharmacists provide important information about the characteristics and possible side-effects of medicines. And from time to time, they catch errors in prescriptions written by careless physicians. But interjecting moral/political prejudices into the doctor-patient relationship is not one of their functions. If we grant them that power, we create a slippery slope.

Cheers.