[from organizer Janet Blanding]
First, my apologies for not updating you sooner. I have been up to my armpits in paperwork regarding complaints to the Pharmacy Board about the difficulties women have had in obtaining Plan B in Olympia.
The Pharmacy Board pulled a sneaky stunt on us – they send each complainant a pile of paperwork to be completed with a ten day deadline! That was after we had all completed the official forms we downloaded from the Department of Health website. Some of us had to fill out 12 pages of paperwork, and get it back to the Board of Pharmacy office within ten days.
Only three of the complainants were able to get it all done within that time-frame.
Fortunately, Plan B Oly activist Jeanne Koenings fired off emails to several local legislators and Christina Hulet, Christine Gregoire’s Health Care Policy Advisor, about this sneaky trick, and they really came through for us. Christina Hulet, Representative Sam Hunt, and Senator Karen Keiser all contacted the Pharmacy Board with objections, and our deadline was extended, allowing at least 16 of the 17 complaints to be kept alive.
I am so grateful to Jeanne, and these powerful political allies who have demonstrated their commitment to women’s rights. They’ll surely be getting my vote!
The Pharmacy Board met on August 31, and voted to proceed with a new draft code, called the “Pharmacist Responsibility Rule” that is much better than the draft code they approved in early June.
The new code requires pharmacists to fill all legal prescriptions except for reasonable exceptions such as drug interactions, suspicion of fraud, non-payment, etc.
Furthermore, the new draft states that pharmacies must stock in “good faith compliance” with the existing WAC that requires a pharmacy to keep all commonly prescribed medications in stock.
This improved rule is without a doubt in response to the overwhelming public outcry against the earlier rule, as well as pressure from Governor Christine Gregoire. As the Pharmacy Board continues investigating the complaints, we are hopeful that they will take disciplinary action against Ralph’s for being in violation of this stocking WAC.
In the meantime, it is important to keep the pressure on by continuing to boycott Ralph’s and Bayview. I have encountered people who thought Ralph’s had already changed its policy and had resumed shopping there. This is not true!
Please let people know that although Stormans is apparently having second thoughts about their policy, they have not announced a policy change or begun to stock Plan B.
Although the FDA has approved Plan B for non-prescription sales, distribution is restricted to pharmacies, so whether or not a pharmacy stocks emergency contraception is just as important as ever.
Word of mouth contact is very important, so wear your boycott t-shirts and buttons, and let people know that the boycott will continue until Ralph’s stocks Plan B. (Email me if you would like a boycott button – my daughter has made dozens, and they look great!)
I know this process is taking a long time. But bear in mind that things are going our way, with the FDA, and with the Washington State Board of Pharmacy. It may take a few more months, but in the end, we will prevail!
Thanks for your support!