Walgreens Fires Pharmacist for Refusing to Compromise His Beliefs by Selling 'Plan B'

"Dr. Hall, a Baptist, entertains profound religious and moral objections to dispensing abortifacients, or abortion-inducing drugs, such as Plan B. For six years, Walgreens respected Hall’s religious beliefs and gave him only favorable reviews for his work performance. But in August 2013, Walgreens did an about-face and tried to force Hall to dispense Plan B in violation of his beliefs. When Hall indicated his intent to continue following the internal procedures that accommodated his beliefs, Walgreens fired him."

KEY WORD: Dispensing. What this article glosses over, Plan B is now sold OTC (over-the-counter) there is no dispensing necessary.

“Dr. Hall’s right to live according to his religious beliefs, including in his workplace, is protected both under the Federal Civil Rights Act and the Tennessee State Constitution,” says Crain. “Americans have the right to live according to their sincerely held religious beliefs and not be forced to participate in actions that they deeply and sincerely believe are morally wrong.”

Isn't lying, also morally wrong?  Plan B is not an abortifacient. Plan B is not in the same category as RU-486. Plan B is a high dose progesterone that may prevent or delay ovulation, or it may interfere with fertilization. It is dependent on where an individual (utilizing the medication) is time wise within their cycle.

There is only one drug approved to induce abortion, and that is RU-486 (mifepristone), which is not on the FDA's list of approved contraception (for obvious reasons) and therefore NOT covered by the ACA (think Hobby Lobby). The IUD, Plan B and Ella (a new drug) are on the list of contraceptives and have been studied (and still are being studied) extensively, to state they are abortifacients is IMHO a boldfaced lie. This is pharmacy 101 plain and simple.

One question I would like to ask Mr Hall: Would he dispense methotrexate? It is an anti-cancer drug that can also be used as an abortifacient.

What this article leaves out in their reporting: "A factor in Hall's firing apparently was also his action in personally purchasing and disposing of the store's first shipment of 6 boxes of the over-the-counter version as a way to prevent its being available."

From a legal standpoint, one thought comes to mind. The fact the Hall purchased the boxes prior to disposal does not, in my mind, mitigate the fact that he willfully and intentionally undermined his employer's business. One must mind their Ps-and-Qs in regards to company policy and image; causing a product shortage, not a good thing. Simply put, employees of a store do not get to dictate what the store carries in stock.

But what I really think happened, he bought and disposed of the OTC version just to spite his employer because HE was removed from the sale process. HE lost his means to MAKE A STAND. He lost his ability to judge others, he became impotent (hmm,,,wonder if he had issues with selling Viagra). Hall only acted when he couldn't make HIS stance clear to his audience.

Just how far should an employer have to go to accommodate an employee? Should Catholic employees be exempt from ringing up condoms? What about Viagra for the unmarried? Should Muslims be excused from selling mouthwash and cough syrup because they contain alcohol? Should Jews be allowed to refuse to handle any pork product?

Walgreens Fires Pharmacist for Refusing to Compromise His Beliefs by Selling 'Plan B'