HHS: Pharmacies cannot deny prescriptions to patients over abortion concerns
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Federal law prohibits pharmacies from refusing to fill prescriptions that may end a pregnancy to patients who are able to become pregnant, according to a newly released HHS guidance.
In a press release announcing the new guidance, pharmacies, as recipients of federal financial assistance — including Medicaid and Medicare — are “reminded” of their obligation under civil rights laws to refrain from discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, and disability. According to the guidance, under federal civil rights law, pregnancy discrimination includes discrimination based on current pregnancy, past pregnancy, potential or intended pregnancy, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth.
“We are committed to ensuring that everyone can access health care, free of discrimination,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in the release. “This includes access to prescription medications for reproductive health and other types of care.”
The guidance follows news and social media reports indicating that some pharmacies had refused to dispense methotrexate and other potential abortifacients due to potential fallout following the recent Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v Wade.
In response to increasing reports of methotrexate being denied to patients who are able to become pregnant, the American College of Rheumatology has created a new task force to ensure patients have access to the medications and treatments they need, including methotrexate.
“The ACR is aware of the emerging concerns surrounding access to needed treatments such as [methotrexate] after the recent decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization,” read a message sent on June 30 from the ACR Twitter account.
According to the ACR, the Access to Reproductive Health Care Task Force, is “committed to ensuring that rheumatology providers are able to maintain trusting relationships with and advise their patients on all matters relevant to the management of their rheum diseases.”
Reference:
@sadgorlzai. https://twitter.com/sadgorlzai/status/1544072032106823689. July 4, 2022. Accessed July 14, 2022.
@ACRheum. https://twitter.com/ACRheum/status/1547570322143989766. July 14, 2022. Accessed July 14, 2022.
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