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Religion and conscientious objection: A survey of pharmacists' willingness to dispense medications

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  • Davidson, Laura A.
  • Pettis, Clare T.
  • Joiner, Amber J.
  • Cook, Daniel M.
  • Klugman, Craig M.

Abstract

Some US states allow pharmacists to refuse to dispense medications to which they have moral objections, and federal rules for all health care providers are in development. This study examines whether demographics such as age, religion, gender influence 668 Nevada pharmacists' willingness to dispense or transfer five potentially controversial medications to patients 18 years and older: emergency contraception, medical abortifacients, erectile dysfunction medications, oral contraceptives, and infertility medications. Almost 6% of pharmacists indicated that they would refuse to dispense and refuse to transfer at least one of these medications. Religious affiliation significantly predicted pharmacists' willingness to dispense emergency contraception and medical abortifacients, while age significantly predicted pharmacists' willingness to distribute infertility medications. Evangelical Protestants, Catholics and other-religious pharmacists were significantly more likely to refuse to dispense at least one medication in comparison to non-religious pharmacists in multinomial logistic regression analyses. Awareness of the influence of religion in the provision of pharmacy services should inform health care policies that appropriately balance the rights of patients, physicians, and pharmacists alike. The results from Nevada pharmacists may suggest similar tendencies among other health care workers, who may be given latitude to consider morality and value systems when making clinical decisions about care.

Suggested Citation

  • Davidson, Laura A. & Pettis, Clare T. & Joiner, Amber J. & Cook, Daniel M. & Klugman, Craig M., 2010. "Religion and conscientious objection: A survey of pharmacists' willingness to dispense medications," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 71(1), pages 161-165, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:71:y:2010:i:1:p:161-165
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    2. Unknown, 2006. "UFW Contract: Montpelier Orchards Management Company," United Farm Workers (UFW) Contracts 236469, University of California, Davis, Changing Face.
    3. Freedman, L.R. & Landy, U. & Steinauer, J., 2008. "When there's a heartbeat: Miscarriage management in Catholic-owned hospitals," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 98(10), pages 1774-1778.
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    Cited by:

    1. Xavier Richet, 2012. "Impact and Response to the Financial Crisis: Comparing the EU and China Policies," Economic Studies journal, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences - Economic Research Institute, issue 1, pages 3-15.
    2. Czarnecki, Danielle & Anspach, Renee R. & De Vries, Raymond G. & Dunn, Mercedez D. & Hauschildt, Katrina & Harris, Lisa H., 2019. "Conscience reconsidered: The moral work of navigating participation in abortion care on labor and delivery," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 232(C), pages 181-189.
    3. Chiarello, Elizabeth, 2013. "How organizational context affects bioethical decision-making: Pharmacists' management of gatekeeping processes in retail and hospital settings," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 319-329.

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