The overhaul of the code of ethics for pharmacists, the new version of which should be shorter than the current one which dates from 1995, is being debated within the profession. The bone of contention: the possible introduction of a conscience clause whose definition, rather vague, raises a round of criticism.
The controversial article, reported by Slate, states: “Without prejudice to the patients’ right to access or to continuity of care, the pharmacist may refuse to perform a pharmaceutical act likely to endanger human life. He must then inform the patient and put everything in order. works to ensure that it will be taken care of without delay by another pharmacist. If this is not the case, the pharmacist is required to perform the pharmaceutical act. “
Fear of refusal to issue contraceptives
The artistic vagueness maintained around the notion of attack on human life is the crux of the problem. Some fear that this mention opens the possibility for pharmacists to refuse to dispense contraceptives.
The concern is such that on July 19, the Minister of Women’s Rights, Laurence Rossignol, cracked a statement believing that this conscience clause “would clearly open the possibility for pharmacists to refuse to issue the emergency contraception [pilule du lendemain], the pill, the IUDor even the condom “.
Misunderstanding between the order of pharmacists and the Ministry of Health
Pharmacists are consulted on this conscience clause until August 31. But the president of the National Council of the Order of Pharmacists has already brushed aside this controversy by specifying that there was never any question of question the right to contraception or abortion. “The debates have also never focused on contraception but on the end of life, a situation often very difficult to manage by pharmacists in town and in hospitals,” replied Isabelle Adenot.
The controversy could therefore be just a semantic misunderstanding. The end of the story will be given on September 5 when the National Council of the Order will make its final decision on the new code of ethics which will then be submitted for validation by the Ministry of Health.
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