I don't think it's been mentioned yet in keeping with the context of the profession, but pharmacists aren't just another business owner. They have responsibilities related to their profession. They even have a code of ethics. Many of them do, at least. Directly from the Ontario College of Pharmacists, this particular principle is related to this issue:
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Ontario College of Pharmacists "Code of Ethics"
Principle Four:
Each member respects the autonomy, individuality and dignity of each patient and provides care with respect for human rights and without discrimination. No patient shall be deprived of access to pharmaceutical services because of the personal convictions or religious beliefs of a member. Where such circumstances occur, the member refers the patient to a pharmacist who can meet the patient’s needs.
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I saw at least one other code that listed something similar. It was sourced to the U.S.
This pharmacist might be breaking a code of ethics here. I couldn't find anything on Virginian pharmacists off the bat, but you never know.
EDIT: What's at issue is that this pharmacist not only refused the fill the prescriptions, they also refused to transfer it. I'm still not entirely sure what that means. Does this mean it would be impossible to fill it elsewhere? Is it possible to get the doctor to do it, or maybe write another one for another pharmacy?
Either way, by refusing to transfer would be in violation of the code in Ontario. So now I'm wondering if there is a similar code in Virginia.