Washington State Board of Pharmacy Votes to Approve Rules Protecting Patient Access to Prescriptions
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Seattle, WA- Today the Washington State Board of Pharmacy voted unanimously to adopt two rules, WAC 246-869-010 and WAC 246-863-095, which together will require pharmacies to fill legal prescriptions for stocked medications on-site, and ensure that all patients are treated professionally and respectfully. “The Board of Pharmacy acted to protect the health of women and to protect patient access to valid prescriptions,” said Karen Cooper, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Washington. “We are delighted that these rules have been approved, and that patient access to appropriate care, particularly access to Plan B, will not be undermined by personal, non-medical judgments,” she added. “We are also extremely appreciative of the leadership that Governor Gregoire has provided on the issue of patient access to prescriptions throughout this process,” said Cooper. The rules will help ensure that women seeking birth control or emergency contraception at their local pharmacy are not denied needed medications based on pharmacists’ personal views. “In order to make responsible decisions about their reproductive health, women must be able to access birth control and emergency contraception,” said Cooper. “Pharmacy refusals impact all patients, not only those seeking birth control, by undermining public confidence in the care they will receive when they walk into their local pharmacy”, Cooper concluded, “that is why these rules are needed and that is why thousands of Washingtonians contacted the Board in support of these rules.”
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