Pharmacy Rights Battleground: Washington State

Pharmacy Rights Battleground: Washington State
Wednesday June 7, 2006

The Washington State Board of Pharmacy has issued a draft rule which would allow pharmacists to refuse prescriptions if they believe that the patients would use the drugs in a manner contrary to the pharmacist’s intention.

Ironically, at the same time, the state requires that pharmacies to stock up drugs. Furthermore, that contradicts the pharmacist’s license which “requires that patients’ needs come first”.

The issue that is up for debate is that do pharmacist have a duty to fill lawful prescriptions as long as there are no possible negative interactions or do they have the right to refuse if they feel that the drugs will not be put to good use?

Governor Gregoire commented and refers to this rule as a mistake. With statistic backing, 66 percent did not believe pharmacists should be able to refuse to fill prescriptions. She pointed out that the legislature has not finalized it.