Refusing supply especially EHC

[SolomonQ]

I read in the past and quite recently in the PJ about pharmacists who refuse to supply EHC, this is mostly if not always because of their religious tendencies, and some people have been calling for this to be made illegal.

I myself don't mind supplying a patient with EHC, if they request it and it is suitable for them, but I still believe that it should be my right to refuse to supply if I dont want to, and no one should "force" me to do it.

What is other people's take on this? should pharmacists be forced to supply ENC and if they dont adhere to it be prosecuted?? or should religoud tendencies be taken into consideration??

[Rafael]

I read in the past and quite recently in the PJ about pharmacists who refuse to supply EHC, this is mostly if not always because of their religious tendencies, and some people have been calling for this to be made illegal.

I myself don't mind supplying a patient with EHC, if they request it and it is suitable for them, but I still believe that it should be my right to refuse to supply if I dont want to, and no one should "force" me to do it.

What is other people's take on this? should pharmacists be forced to supply ENC and if they dont adhere to it be prosecuted?? or should religoud tendencies be taken into consideration??

a lot has already been said regarding this topic solly. have a look at this thread

Refusing EHC Supply

another related thread( selling condom to kids <16 years old) Selling something that will be used unlawfully

[Sir_Dispensalot]

personally, i supply EHC but don't hold it against anyone if they refuse to supply BUT they should signpost the person to another provider. This is pharmsoc's current line with EHC at the moment too.

[Titch]

I can fully understand a pharmacist choosing not to supply for religious reasons and the majority who do so follow the guidance and do refer on to another pharmacist who can help.

What really annoys me is the pharmacists that do not get accredited to supply either via OTC sale (so by doing the CPPE training pack) or via a local PGD (more difficult as the training sessions are not always convenient)

From my experience (I am quite prepared to accept that I have just seen the poor examples) these pharmacists do not bother to help and just say something along the lines of "sorry I'm not trained to sell it" or "sorry we have none in stock" and leave the poor female needing it to find somewhere else themselves.
Do we as a profession not still have a duty of care to help refer to someone who can help them?

[Jeff]

"sorry we have none in stock" and leave the poor female needing it to find somewhere else themselves.

As a locum I sometimes find myself in that situation - there is none in stock - and I've no idea where the nearest other pharmacy is - let alone if they supply it or not.

Signposting (in general) - I've a book in the Bradford shop - Nothing in Huddersfield (though I have asked a PCT representative - they are going to get back to me - it's been a couple of months and they haven't)

Jeff

[Titch]

Fair comment Jeff but under Essential Services of the contract doesn't each pharmacy have to be able to signpost so somewhere along the line someone needs to provide the information.

I appreciate that it's a nightmare for locums (I'm one too!) but I don't think that is an excuse and every pharmacist should be aware of where to signpost to and if they don't know they should try to find out.

I often have to pick up a Yellow Pages to ring somewhere else cause there is none in stock where I am. To the other party I am a female voice asking if they sell/supply the morning after pill. All too frequently the answer is "Sorry we haven't any in stock", "I'm not trained to sell it" or even just "No" and the phone is put down. To me this is not a good example of our profession.

[johnep]

One of the problems is that Levonelle One Step usually ordered on dispensary computer. When sold, computer stock not adjusted as it would if dispensed. Therefore replacement stock not ordered.
johnep

[Sir_Dispensalot]

thats what happens to me too john. nothing more annoying coming in for the night shift to find a bare shelf and no one step reordered

still, at last I have managed to get on the PCT's intake for the PGD!

[SolomonQ]

a lot has already been said regarding this topic solly. have a look at this thread

Refusing EHC Supply

another related thread( selling condom to kids <16 years old) Selling something that will be used unlawfully

I appreciate that but but I didnt really search the forum before posting, and that thread itself is quite old (like 2 years), and this topic is one that is being debated quited recently and people's opinions could have changed.

I've myself never encountered out of stock problems, I think levonelle should never be put on display as it portrays the wrong image, a sign or poster should be enough to let people know the pharmacy provides that service, this way the pharmacist can overlook the stock, and any given out could be reordered straightaway, i've had pharmacy staff trying to sell the EHC without consulting me which really pissed me off, for all I know the person they are selling to could have been a schizoprenia or epilepsy patient, the patient might take the pill but still become pregnant cos of her other medication, then who'd be to blame, guesses anyone???

My line of action is first of all to find out what the position of EHC is in that pharmacy e.g. PGD with minimum age limit or the cost, if i'm accredeted in that area then i'd go through with the counsultaton otherwise If I have to charge the patient I try my best to see if there's another pharmacy where they can get it for free.

One thing Ray pointed out was the hypocrisy of the people who refuse EHC especially since they dont mind providing methadone etc... to addicts, daily pill, needles exchange and even things like viagra.

[Sir_Dispensalot]

All very good points solly and i'm inclined to agree with them all! But I should warn you - at some point you WILL encounter an out of stock problem - it always pays to know where your next nearest provider is. Dispensary teams usually know or can guess - but as a last resort you can always use the yellow pages and ring round a few other chemists to see if anyone's got them and willing to dispense.

Don't forget - some PCTs now have a scheme for 16-25 year olds for chlamydia testing (free and confidential) - check to see if the PCT you work in offers it - it can be a useful follow-on referral for some.