%0 Journal Article
%T Should Pharmacists Be Allowed to Conscientiously Object to Medicines Supply on the Basis of Their Personal Beliefs?
%J Archive of "The Canadian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy".
%D 2018
%X For decades, conscientious objection has been a topic of intense debate within the sphere of professional health care, including pharmacy. Like physicians, pharmacists are bound by the same ancient yet fundamental Hippocratic principle¡ªdictum primum non nocere (¡°first do no harm¡±)¡ªwhich at times may be juxtaposed with another important ethical principle, that of respecting patient autonomy (i.e., respect for patient dignity, self-determination, and privacy).1 The contention between these 2 major ethical principles creates what is known as an ¡°ethical dilemma¡±, a situation where 2 correct principles pull in opposite directions. When a health care professional objects to the wishes of a patient to avoid causing ¡°harm¡± (whether for personal, spiritual, or professional reasons), this is recognized as the professional exercising his or her right to ¡°conscientious objection.¡±2 Conscientious objection may be apparent in, though is not limited to, complex situations such as abortion, contraception, and physician-assisted suicide
%U https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5931075/