Today, in a setback for patients’ rights, the Washington State Board of Pharmacy dismissed 9 complaints filed against Olympia-based Ralph’s Thriftway for their refusal to stock Plan B^® emergency contraceptives.  

“I am disappointed that the Board of Pharmacy didn't discipline Ralph's for failing to stock Plan B.” said Janet Blanding, a community activist leading the fight against Ralph’s “The stocking policy is vague and we had hoped this many complaints would warrant a violation and lead to better clarification about the rule.  How many complaints are required before patients’ needs are met?” she asked.

The Washington State Board of Pharmacy’s current stocking rule, WAC 246-869-150, states that a pharmacy must maintain at all times “a representative assortment of drugs in order to meet the pharmaceutical needs of its patients”.

“Today’s decision jeopardizes patient access to healthcare and places a heavy burden on patients seeking much-needed, time-sensitive medications,” said Karen Cooper, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Washington. 

“Given that Ralph’s has received numerous requests for Plan B, a failure to supply this medication shows a blatant disregard for the needs of the community it serves,” added Cooper. “If the Pharmacy Board has a formula to determine how many requests constitute a representative sample, it’s certainly not something they’re sharing with the public.” 

NARAL Pro-Choice Washington will continue to advocate in support of public health across the state and will work to change this discriminatory policy.

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