Christians and Muslims are both concerned for the future of UK pharmacists

Last updated on: January 26, 2017 at 11:37 pm by CNA Daily News

Christians and Muslims are both concerned for the future of UK pharmacists 2017-01-26T23:37:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

London, England, Jan 26, 2017 / 04:37 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Proposed standards for U.K. medical professionals could force them to violate their religious beliefs on the job, both Christian and Muslim groups have warned.

David Clapham, a treasurer of the group Christians in Pharmacy, says the proposed changes could deter religious people from entering the profession and may make “the position of some excellent professionals untenable.”

“This would be to the detriment of the profession, patients and pharmacy as a whole,” he said, according to The Pharmaceutical Journal, a publication of the U.K.-based Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

The independent regulator for pharmacy in Great Britain, the General Pharmaceutical Council, recently announced proposed changes in professional standards.

Both the current and the proposed wording for the professional standards guidance say that pharmacy professionals must “recognize their own values and beliefs” but “not impose them on other people.”

However, current guidelines allow pharmacy professionals to make a referral to other providers in cases where their own values or beliefs prevent them from providing care. The proposed guidelines say pharmacy professionals should “take responsibility for ensuring that person-centered care is not compromised because of personal values and beliefs.”

Referrals usually concern the provision of emergency hormonal contraception, routine contraception and some fertility treatments.

“People of faith are usually people of compassion … even if they cannot agree in all conscience to supply certain medications,” Clapham said.

Hina Shahid, chair of the Muslim Doctors Association, voiced concerns that the proposed changes, like ending the right of referral, are “very restrictive.”

“It is important to recognize that adhering to a high standard of professionalism in the workplace involves respecting the rights of health practitioners and accommodating values and principles that are important to them, religious or otherwise,” Shahid said.

She objected that the changes treat patient-centered care and the values of health care practitioners as “mutually exclusive.”

Duncan Rudkin, the chief executive of the General Pharmaceutical Council, said that the proposal would not force pharmacists to act against their beliefs.

“The whole point of the guidance is (saying) think ahead so that they do not get themselves into a position where there may be a risk.”

At the same time, a consultation document for the pharmaceutical council itself acknowledged the standards represented changed expectations for pharmacy professionals when their values or beliefs might affect their ability to provide services. A referral to another provider “might not be the right option” or might compromise person-centered care, the document said,

A previous consultation, held in April 2016, found that most commentators on the relevant section thought that professionals should not be able to refuse services because of their religion or beliefs, the General Pharmaceutical Council said.

If approved, the proposed changes would be introduced in May 2017.

Europe

Previous Post

January 26, 2017

Young baker with Down Syndrome an international sensation

Next Post

January 27, 2017 Cardinal Dolan: Abortion undermines everyone's human rights

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What is written on Jesus’ robe in Revelation 19:16?

Select your answer to see how you score.

The Lion of Judah King of Kings and Lord of Lords The Alpha and Omega The Lamb of God