U.S. PHARMACISTS PAVE THE WAY WITH CONSCIENCE CLAUSE LEGISLATION

July 23 (LSN)  Pro-life forces in Ontario who are pushing forward a “conscience clause” initiative can be encouraged by developments among pharmacists associations around North America. Pro-lifers want health-care workers to be free to follow their consciences without fear of losing their jobs. The attempt is primarily intended to allow health-care workers to refuse to participate in abortions, assisted suicides and reproductive technology processes when the work contravenes their consciences. A federal bill addressing this situation is in the Senate at this time and the Coalition for Conscience anticipates the introduction of a bill in the Ontario Legislaturevery shortly.  Pharmacist associations in the U.S. have been making progress recently at implementing conscience clauses to cover the people they represent. The national American Pharmaceutical Association has already approved “conscience clause” protection, and on July 2 members of the New Jersey Pharmacists Association (NJPhA)  passed a pharmacist’s conscience clause with a wide margin. On July 1, conscience clause protection for South Dakota pharmacists went into effect. Also, the national hospital and clinic pharmacists association passed a conscience clause measure in June, reports U.S. pro-life news provider, Pro-life Infonet. Other associations have bills pending and are examining the issue. Conscience clause protection has also been passed by trade associations in Louisiana, Puerto Rico, California, and Alberta.