There are few problems accessing contraceptives these days. Any Coles or Woolworths supermarket has them on sale in plain view. There are no questions asked - no proof of age required or other restrictions on the buyer.
The situation is not so clear when it comes to the " Morning After " pill. This enables a woman who has had unprotected sex to avoid pregnancy, provided it is taken within a reasonable time after the event.
Some pharmacists refuse to provide this over the counter product on moral grounds. They claim that it contravenes their religious beliefs and therefore they are justified in neither stocking the product or supplying it on request.
This is a stance with which many would beg to differ. Chemists are a profession protected by a host of laws. They have the exclusive right to stock certain types of goods - and with that comes an obligation to provide a service.
It is not unusual for there to be just one single pharmacy in a small town, and in larger areas chemists work to a roster system during quiet periods - such as Sunday evenings. Pharmacists claim that they always refer their client to another supplier when refusing supply on moral grounds, but in many cases this is meaningless if it involves a critical time delay.
The answer is firmly in the hands of the government. The pharmacy has an obligation to provide medical supplies to the public - and has no right to decide what will and what will not be made available as a result of religious beliefs.
Failure to so supply would be a valid reason for removing the license necessary to run a pharmacy - making way for new owners who would be willing to meet their obligations without placing religious bans on items that offend them.
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