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News of the Day ... In Perspective4/3/2007
Pharmacist, ordered to dispense �morning after� pill, appeals to Illinois Supreme Court Because he believes that �Plan B� contraception can cause an abortion in some circumstances, Luke Vander Bleek, owner of pharmacies in Whiteside and DeKalb counties in Illinois, doesn�t want to sell it. When Gov. Rod Blagojevich handed down an executive order, later made permanent by a legislative panel, requiring all pharmacists to dispense the product, Vander Bleek filed a lawsuit. On a 2-to-1 vote, the 4th District Appellate Court dismissed the lawsuit. Justice John Turner dissented, pointing to the Governor�s statements that he would take �any and all steps� to force pharmacists to distribute the morning after pill. The Governor was pleased by the ruling, stating that �there is no provision in our laws that will let a pharmacist deny a patient access to healthcare.� Vander Bleek said he does not consider pregnancy to be a disease. �This comes right at the heart of a moral question for us as to whether or not I and my businesses can be involved in products that destroy life,� Vander Bleek explained. �I reject it. I answer on that question to a much higher authority.� Other pharmacists said they would also choose not to dispense Plan B, if it were not for the mandate. Vander Bleek has appealed to the state Supreme Court (LifeNews.com 3/28/07). Additional information:
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