A MOM-of-five was twice denied a morning-after pill because of pharmacists’ “personal beliefs,” she claims in a lawsuit.
Andrea Anderson, 39, is suing two pharmacies — CVS and her local pharmacy, Thrifty White Pharmacy in Minnesota – for sexual discrimination.
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
The mom claims she was initially denied a pill by the pharmacist at Thrifty White Pharmacy, who she believes refused to fill the prescription “because he did not believe in it,” the Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
Anderson also told ABC News that when she complained to the pharmacy’s manager, she was told that the pharmacist – who is also the town pastor – has refused prescriptions on other occasions.
When she then tried to get the morning-after pill at a nearby CVS, the 39-year-old said she was stopped from doing so for a second time.
The lawsuit claims Anderson was told her prescription could not be filled, and that the CVS pharmacist also told her a Walgreens in the area was out of stock.
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
However, she “double-checked” and called the Walgreens, at which point she was told they had the pill – Ella – in stock and could get her prescription.
The Walgreens’ pharmacist added that they had just spoken to their CVS counterpart and informed them they had the pill in stock, according to ABC News.
“The pharmacists I encountered ignored my health needs and my doctor’s instructions,” Anderson said in a statement.
MOST READ IN NEWS
“I could not believe this was happening. I was angry.”
A CVS spokesperson told the Star Tribune the company will be investigating the complaint, but added it is committed to “providing access to emergency contraception, whether it is at the pharmacy counter for patients who have a prescription for it”.
The Sun U.S. contacted CVS and Thrifty White Pharmacy for comment.