WA Gov. Gregoire Criticizes Court Decision Invalidating Requirement that Pharmacies Dispense Emergency Contraception

Governor Gregoire's statement on Stormans v. Selecky:

OLYMPIA – Gov. Chris Gregoire today issued the following statement in response to the Stormans v. Selecky ruling in U.S. District Court:

“The purpose of the Board of Pharmacy rule is to ensure safe and timely access to lawful and lawfully prescribed medications, with particular concern about time sensitive medications. I remain concerned about the impacts on patients if pharmacies are allowed to refuse to dispense lawfully prescribed or lawful medications to patients. I am especially concerned about those living in rural areas, many of whom may have few alternatives and could suffer lengthy delays in receiving medication or go without entirely.

“My position in the matter has been clear from the start, and that is that patients should be provided with lawful and lawfully prescribed medications.

“Secretary of Health Mary Selecky, the Attorney General’s Office and I will confer regarding the best path forward to ensure patients have access to medications, especially those that are time sensitive. There are strong arguments to make on appeal from this lower court decision.”