The clause of conscience that allows them to refer a patient to a colleague now been ruled out incompatible with requirements that pharmacists deliver 'person-centred care'.
The General Council of pharmacists (GPhC) says that the new systemmeans that it is required for the treatment of his client 'is not compromised due to personal values and beliefs'.
The change alarmed Christians and medical professionals eager to maintain the right to pharmacists within their ethical and religious beliefs. It will affect those who currently refuse to supply the pill the nextday that considered it an abortion drug. Following a consultation, theGPhC published an explanatory paper this week saying that the rulesin the future if they require pharmacists 'recognize their own values and beliefs that others impose on them'. It should 'assume responsibility for ensuring that the person-centred care is not compromised'. The GPhC added that the rule is 'tip the balance in favor of the needs and rights of the person in your care' and list of drugs that could be affected as contraceptives, drugs for fertility, hormone therapies, mental health and wellness services, substance abuse and sexual health services.
Christians say to replace the right reference with 'duty to dispense' discriminate against pharmacists with ethical beliefs of the minority. Dr.Peter Saunders, a former surgeon who directs the Christian medical Fellowship, said: ' the question is whether they should force pharmacists to dispense drugs by what they see as practices unethical, such asemergency, gender reassignment contraception, abortion or even, should the legislation never will be, by assisted suicide. 'Or if they retain the right to exercise freedom of conscience by refer a colleague oropt out.' said the GPhC 'used a sledgehammer to break a nut'. Catholic Bishops yesterday issued a statement adding his opposition. Auxiliary Bishop of Southwark, the right Reverend Paul Mason said: ' our main concern is in relation to the nature of consciousness. It seems to imply that conscientious objection, whether motivated by religious orother concerns, is an obstacle to ensure patient-centred care. It seems to you have a moral conscience and patient-centred care are not compatible with facets of the profession of pharmacist. At the same time, however, argue that a person's consciousness is in fact a requirement of any health professional.' Executive GPhC Duncan Rudkin said: 'we have proposed that in some cases remission may not be the rightchoice or sufficient to ensure the person-centred care is not compromised. 'Pharmacy professionals consider in advance how to ensure that people receive the care they need when they need it.'
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