Monday, March 13, 2006

The Wal-Mart Saga Continues

So, I e-mailed Wal-Mart complaining that they should take the Morning After Pill off their shelves, and this was their response:

Thank you for contacting us at Walmart.com. Your comments and concerns are very important to us as we strive to meet your needs.

Until recently, Wal-Mart and SAM'S CLUB pharmacies sold emergency contraception only in Illinois, where state law required us to do so.

In February, a ruling by the state Board of Pharmacy required all of our pharmacies in Massachusetts to stock and dispense the product.

Pressure to introduce similar requirements is building in Connecticut and New York, and we expect other states to follow suit.

In light of these developments, all Wal-Mart and SAM'S CLUB pharmacies will immediately begin carrying Plan B emergency contraception.

By Monday, March 20, all of our pharmacies should have received an initial stock.

The company is maintaining its conscientious objection policy, which is consistent with the tenets of the American Pharmaceutical Association. This policy, except where prohibited by law, allows any Wal-Mart or SAM'S CLUB pharmacy Associate who does not feel comfortable dispensing a prescription for certain medications [those which are not considered core to the practice of pharmacy], including Plan B emergency
contraception, to refer customers to another pharmacist or pharmacy as spelled out in our policy. We do require that these Associates fulfill their obligation to help customers by referring them to another pharmacy that stocks the product.

These decisions have been made after very careful consideration. We believe that we are doing what is best for the business, while respecting our individual associates.

Again, we thank you for your comments and / or questions regarding this issue.

Sincerely,

Denice
Customer Service at Walmart.com


They are an odd organization.

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