New NJ law requires pharmacies to fill orders no matter beliefs

Via the Associated Press:

TRENTON, N.J. - New Jersey pharmacies must now fill prescriptions for any drug they stock or locate another nearby pharmacy that carries the drug regardless of any religious and philosophical beliefs held by their employees.

The new law signed Friday by Gov. Jon S. Corzine is largely designed to ensure women retain access to birth-control pills and emergency contraception.

"Discussions of morals and matters of conscience are admirable, but should not come into play when subjective beliefs conflict with objective medical decisions," said state Sen. Joseph Vitale, D-Middlesex, a bill sponsor.

Corzine signed the bill just days after Pope Benedict XVI said pharmacists have a right to use conscientious objection to avoid dispensing emergency contraception or euthanasia drugs.