Mo. House Approves Amendment Allowing Pharmacies To Refuse To Stock EC, Medication Abortion Drugs

The Missouri House on Tuesday voted 115-43 to approve an amendment that would allow pharmacies to refuse to dispense emergency contraception or fill prescriptions, the Columbia Missourian reports. According to the Missourian, the bill specifically mentions the emergency contraceptive Plan B, which can prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours of sexual intercourse, and mifepristone, which is available by prescription only and used to induce abortion. Mifepristone is only available through a doctor and cannot be distributed by a pharmacy according to the Missourian.

The amendment, sponsored by state Rep. Ed Emery (R), prohibits lawsuits against pharmacies that do not carry the drugs and prevents the state from revoking the licenses of pharmacies that do not supply the medications. FDA recently announced that it would allow individuals ages 17 and older to purchase Plan B without a prescription (Wire, Columbia Missourian, 4/28). In addition, the amendment stipulates that pharmacies would not be required to advise people on how to obtain the medications. Current Missouri law does not address whether pharmacies must stock the drugs. According to the AP/Springfield News-Leader, Missouri's Senate already approved the original bill (S.B 296), which involves professional licensing regulations.

Many Democrats objected to Emery's amendment, arguing that the measure could hinder women's access to EC, especially for women in rural areas (Blank, AP/Springfield News-Leader, 4/28). Some Democrats also said that the amendment is an attempt to control women's bodies. "To implement a law like this, especially in a rural area, seems to me to put another road block before women," state Rep. Mary Still (D) said. According to Emery, the measure is needed to protect pharmacy owners who object to stocking EC and mifepristone (Columbia Missourian, 4/28).

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