I came up with some questions that could potentially be asked in a pharmacy interview and I'm really interested in how the pharmacy and pre-pharm students of today would answer them. Here they are:
- Would you support or object to a law stating that insulin syringes cannot be purchased without a prescription? Why or why not?
- Should pharmacists have the right to refuse to sell the Plan B pill even though the patient would not have an adverse reaction to it (for this question, assume that the pill will not harm the woman and that she is of age to purchase it)?
- What is your opinion of pharmacists who refuse to dispense birth control?
- What role should religion play in pharmacy?
looking forward to hearing your answers!
Would you support or object to a law...?
Good question! I am curious to see what others say. Don't some major cities have needle exchange programs, the idea being to at least use clean needles? I can't imagine limiting access to clean needles, but maybe I am thinking about it the wrong way. I don't think limiting access to clean needles would go a long way toward discouraging illegal drug use, but I bet it would go pretty far toward spreading diseases!
Should pharmacists have the right to ...?
The right? Yes
Is it a right that should often be used? Read below!
What is my opinion of pharmacist who refuse to dispense birth control?
Are there pharmacists who refuse to dispense birth control? Specifically Plan B I guess. I feel bad for pharmacist who feel they cannot dispense Plan B. I wish they could find an environment where they can practise without conflict. I think it is unfair to the patient, the employer and the pharmacist. The patient should be able to have timely access to medication, the employer should expect their employees to practise industry standards, the pharmacist should be able to practise without choosing between their morals and their job. The pharmacist, whenever possible, should seek employment where this will not be an issue. I feel pretty strongly on this one.
What role should religion play in pharmacy?
Not sure what to say here. Maybe I am being dense but it seems to me it should play the same role it plays in every profession. Religious freedom is pretty extensive here in the USA. Any pharmacist should feel free to be a member of the religion of their choice. As a reasonable extension of the previous question, if their religious beliefs conflict with their duty as pharmacist then they should choose to practise where there is the least amount of conflict (ideally none).