Pharmacist wins right to refuse to fill objectionable prescriptions

Published: 2003-11-19

TORONTO (CNS) -- A Canadian pharmacist who refused to fill a prescription for birth control pills reached an agreement with regulatory officials allowing her to avoid dealing in products she finds morally objectionable. The agreement brings an end to a four-year costly legal battle for Maria Bizecki, a pharmacist with the Co-op chain of stores in Calgary, Alberta. In 1999, Bizecki advised a customer that her faith-based opposition to contraceptive products prevented her from filling a prescription for birth control pills. Bizecki said she believes that as long as a customer has the choice of finding another pharmacist who can fill prescriptions for contraceptive products Catholic and other pro-life pharmacists should not be forced to participate in such transactions.

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