Conscientious objection In The Profession Of Pharmacist. A Survey of Pharmacists' Opinions On The Conscience Clause In Poland

Abstract

Background Pursuant to the Resolution of the Council of Europe No. 1763 of October 7, 2010, physicians, nurses and midwives may resign from performing medical activities for ethical reasons. In Poland, these provisions do not apply to pharmacists, therefore it is considered granting pharmacists the right to refuse dispensing a drug on the basis of conscientious objection.Objective The authors of the study decided to present the opinion of pharmacists (from the Greater Poland Voivodeship in Poland) on the conscience clause.Method The research was carried out on the basis of a self-developed questionnaire. The survey questionnaire was addressed to 105 pharmacists. The participants were asked 29 questions, 21 related to pharmacists' opinions on the conscience clause, and the remaining 8 related to demographic data.Results Responses were received from 100 pharmacists (74 women and 26 men, mean age 34 years). Most - 82 participants (82%) answered that they had never provided a service that was against their conscience. Nevertheless, 18 respondents (18%) expressed a different opinion.Conclusion Most pharmacists are against the conscience clause. Nevertheless, about one-fifth of the respondents were in the situation of providing the service against their own ethical reservations, therefore this topic cannot be ignored.