Kroger Reaffirms Policy to Dispense 'Plan B' in Pharmacies
CINCINNATI - In the wake of a Georgia woman's claim that a pharmacist refused her request for "Plan B" emergency contraceptive at a Kroger pharmacy, The Kroger Co. here reaffirmed in a statement that it will fill requests for the medication regardless of whether individual pharmacists at its stores object to dispensing it.
According to published reports, Kroger said it began carrying the over-the-counter version of the drug in November after it was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
"If, for whatever reason, an individual pharmacist objects to furnishing this or any other medication, our policy is to find a way to accommodate the customer," Kroger said in a news release. "We are taking additional steps to make certain that all of pharmacy teams have a clear understanding of this policy."
The chain added that "medications are a private patient matter," adding that "Our role as a retail pharmacy operator is to furnish medication using applicable professional standards in accordance with a doctor's prescription or as requested by a customer."
According to published reports, Kroger said it began carrying the over-the-counter version of the drug in November after it was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
"If, for whatever reason, an individual pharmacist objects to furnishing this or any other medication, our policy is to find a way to accommodate the customer," Kroger said in a news release. "We are taking additional steps to make certain that all of pharmacy teams have a clear understanding of this policy."
The chain added that "medications are a private patient matter," adding that "Our role as a retail pharmacy operator is to furnish medication using applicable professional standards in accordance with a doctor's prescription or as requested by a customer."