Planned Parenthood Condemns Texas Pharmacist's Refusal to Provide Emergency Contraception to Rape Survivor February 3, 2004 Planned Parenthood is outraged over the recent refusal of a Denton, Texas, pharmacist to fill a rape survivor's prescription for emergency contraception (EC). "This pharmacist's actions are absolutely inexcusable," said Vanessa Cullins, PPFA vice president for medical affairs. "Refusing to provide access to EC is an unacceptable imposition of personal ideology on the rights of sexual assault survivors. The fact that women who have recently survived sexual assault are prevented in cases like this from accessing this critical, safe, and effective medication is only further proof that EC should be available over the counter." Approximately 300,000 women are reported to be raped each year in the United States, and experts estimate the real number may be more than twice as many. Nearly 25,000 of these women will become pregnant as a result of being raped, and emergency contraception could prevent about 22,000 of those unintended pregnancies. EC pills contain hormones that can reduce the risk of pregnancy if started within 120 hours of unprotected intercourse. PPFA will continue to advocate for increased availability of EC and for stricter regulations requiring medical and pharmacy workers to provide access to EC to sexual assault survivors and other women at risk for unintended pregnancy. |
|
