Concern over bid to force pharmacists to declare view on contraception

The Pharmacy Guild has questioned a plan to force ACT pharmacists to publicly declare their personal opposition to reproductive health products.

Labor MP Bec Cody was expected to forward a parliamentary motion on Wednesday requiring pharmacies to display a sign if they won’t supply reproductive health products.

Ms Cody told ABC News she has been personally “lectured” by a pharmacist when trying to purchase reproductive medicines.

However, Pharmacy Guild ACT president Simon Blacker said implementing the plan could be complicated, given that most pharmacies roster multiple pharmacists.

Pharmacists have a duty of care and most will supply the medication or refer patients to another pharmacy, he said.

“Pharmacies have assisted patients with these sort of products for a long time without challenge."

“I don’t believe [the regulation] is absolutely necessary.”