TresSugar

Virginia Pharmacy Won't Carry Contraception

DearSugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 11:00:00 -0700

I've heard of Roman Catholics not believing in birth control, but now a new Roman Catholic pharmacy in Virginia doesn't believe in selling it. Divine Mercy Care Pharmacy isn't the only one letting their faith lead their business. Seven other pharmacies across the nation are doing the same. They're refusing to sell any forms of contraception, including condoms, birth control pills, and the morning-after pill, even if the person has a prescription.

States are dealing with this issue by passing laws that require drugstores to go against their religious beliefs and fill the prescriptions. Right now though, in the state of Virginia, these laws don't exist and devout Catholic-based drugstores are allowed to deny birth control to anyone who walks in their store.

To find out what abortion-rights groups think, read more.

Abortion rights groups are concerned that these kinds of stores will affect low-income women and those in rural states. If women can't have access to birth control, many will be faced with decisions about how to deal with unwanted pregnancies.

This is a tough case. For those who share a store's religious beliefs, the customers may feel more comfortable shopping there. But a person should also be able to choose whether or not they want to use birth control, and they should be able to have access to it where they live. So what do you think? Should pharmacies be required by law to sell contraception, or should they have the right to decide what they sell?

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The Most Well-Liked Guy in Town Opens a Pharmacy

GiggleSugar — Tue, 13 May 2008 01:00:00 -0700

What, no shrimp?

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Italy OKs Abortion Pill, Vatican to Excommunicate Doctors

TresSugar — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:51:13 -0700

Over the objections of the Vatican, Italy recently approved the use of RU486, commonly known as the abortion pill.

The pill, which can only be taken up to the seventh week of pregnancy, will not be sold in Italian pharmacies - only doctors will be allowed to administer it. The Vatican has made its opposition clear, promising that any doctor who does administer it will be excommunicated (along with the women who take it). According to the Italian health ministry, 70 percent of Italian doctors refuse to carry out abortions in the predominately Catholic country.

Unlike the morning after pill (Plan B), which prevents a pregnancy that hasn't happened yet, RU-486 causes the termination of an existing pregnancy. Italian law permits surgical abortion "on demand" within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and until the 24th week if the fetus has genetic defects or if the mother's health is in danger. Now women will have legal access to a chemically induced abortion as an alternative to the surgical procedure.

Washington Pharmacists Can't Refuse to Dispense Plan B

TresSugar — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:00:00 -0700

"Any refusal to dispense - regardless of whether it is motivated by religion, morals, conscience, ethics, discriminatory prejudices, or personal distaste for a patient - violates the rules."

This week a US appeals court ruled that a pharmacist's personal convictions does not outweigh a patient's right to timely medication.

Two Washington state pharmacists filed a lawsuit saying that their religious beliefs should exempt them from carrying emergency contraception. Washington state law requires pharmacies to stock and sell the "morning-after pill." The pharmacists argued that the requirement would make them chose between keeping their jobs or supporting a medication they regard as a form of abortion because it can prevent implantation of a fertilized egg. The court ruled the law did not violate freedom of religion, saying that the law was valid and neutral. Following the ruling, the requirement that Washington pharmacies carry Plan B has taken immediate effect.

Walgreens to Offer Free Healthcare Clinics

CitizenSugar — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 11:00:21 -0700

Walgreens. The Pharmacy (Unemployed) America Trusts. If you lose your job and health insurance tomorrow, you can now turn to the drugstore for routine treatment and testing for minor ailments.

Today Walgreens announced plans to offer walk-in clinics free of charge. The in-store Take Care clinics can address problems like respiratory illnesses, infections like pink eye, allergies, and skin conditions. Patients will probably cross their fingers that they won't be prescribed a pricey drug, since they'll still have to pay for prescriptions.

The idea is to keep people out of urgent-care and emergency rooms. Customers will have to prove that they're unemployed, and once they get health insurance back, they'll have to pay for future screenings, which typically cost $59.

This sounds like a good plan for both the uninsured and Walgreens. The company can increase awareness about its service, and those facing tough times can buffer the consequences of unemployment.

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Should 17-Year-Olds Be Allowed to Buy Plan B?

DearSugar — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 10:00:00 -0700

I'm grateful that Plan B is available in drugstores and pharmacies, but you have to be at least 18 years old to buy it without a prescription. In spite of that, minors are also having sex, which is why a judge in Brooklyn has ordered the FDA to reconsider its decision and allow underage girls access to this emergency contraception too. The court ruling ordered the FDA to act within 30 days, so now all women 17 and up will soon have access to this safe and effective drug! This is big news.

So what do you think about this ruling? Is it only fair to let Plan B be available to all women, regardless of their age? Or do you think this ruling sends the wrong message to teens about having unprotected sex?

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You Asked: What Does He Mean by "Break"?

DearSugar — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 17:00:00 -0700

Dear Sugar,

My boyfriend and I have been together for five and half years. We've dated since high school and throughout college, but have also had some rough periods. This Summer he got accepted into a four-year pharmacy program in another city. Before he left, he dropped a bomb on me: He wanted to breakup. I was heartbroken but we talked before his move and he told me he always saw his future with me but wasn't sure if his feelings were strong enough presently to do long distance for the next eight months.

We decided to keep things open, but he's created an entirely new life and even though we talk every day, he says he feels single and he likes it. Still, he maintains that he wants to be with me eventually. His proposed solution was that we take a "break" until Christmas, when he will be home next, in hopes that he will realize that he wants to be with me 100 percent. He said that it would mean we would talk less and be able to see other people, which he said he had no intentions of doing.

I agreed on this break hoping that it would bring us together in the end. We decided to write a list of guidelines during this period in order to make the break work. When I mentioned to him one guideline I had - no fooling around with other people (going on dates was acceptable) - he became hesitant. I don't think that messing around with other people will solve our issues. So all this leads me to wonder exactly what he means by "break." Does he want to be single for now but knows that he will have me in the end? My definition of a break was to reassess our relationship and figure out if we want to be together in the future. I don't want to end up getting hurt in the end. Please help!

- Uncertain Ciara

To see DearSugar's answer, read more.

Dear Uncertain Ciara,

Although your boyfriend claims he has no intention of pursuing a physical relationship or otherwise with anyone during this break, it's clear to me that that's exactly what he has in mind. And even if he doesn't, I'm not sure how taking a break ruled by a set of guidelines rather than communication is going to help you two reevaluate your relationship. It sounds like your boyfriend is fairly certain that he doesn't want to be with you right now, and while he might see you in his future, if he's not willing to commit today or even tomorrow then I don't know how much that's worth.

Your boyfriend needs to understand that he doesn't get to string you along until it's convenient for him, and you're the one that's going to have to show him that via your actions. Don't be afraid to tell him that your not willing to wait around for him while he enjoys his freedom. It's important that he realizes what he's losing. If you've explained all this to him and he's still sure he doesn't want to be with you, then my advice is to take that for what it is and start moving on. Of course, things could work out later, but certainly don't count on it.

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Do Tell: What Are Your Embarrassing Birth Control Stories?

DearSugar — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 09:00:00 -0700

If you have sex, you have to deal with birth control. It may not be the funnest part about being sexual, but it's definitely necessary if you want to prevent pregnancy and the transmission of STIs. You've got to have talks with your partner about it, you have to go to the gynecologist or pharmacy to get birth control, and then of course you have to master how to use it.

So during that trial and error period, do you have any embarrassing stories? Maybe your mom found condoms in your purse or perhaps your NuvaRing popped out during sex. Whatever happened may have been traumatic at that moment, but I'm sure you're laughing about it now (at least I hope you are!). Since it's happened to the best of us, do tell ladies, what is your most embarrassing birth control story?

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Dish! What Weird Spammer Names Have You Gotten?

GiggleSugar — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 04:00:00 -0800

I just checked my email today and, naturally, I received spam. Although I didn't open it up, the spam name made me laugh out loud. It was from Romaine Huckabone. He just wanted to say, "Hi." I'm sure he also wanted to sell me some Viagra, Soma pills, or some penis enlargement product. (Thanks, Romaine, I'm good.) Or maybe he's friends with Tony E. Grubbs, who is concerned that I need to "Halt credit harassment now." Here are some other people I don't know who are concerned for my well-being. When you're done reading, please share some weird spam names you've received!

Luther Mendez - european online pharmacies
Rosario Kaufman - learn how to play roulette
Venal - bigger is better
Guadalupe Santillanes - hey
Tamekia Focht- hi
Randy Maloney - Why you're so unhappy with your size laity
Haifa - ron jeremy recommends
May Bates - No problems keeping it up with viagra
Jeremiah Santos - dating for sex addicts
Miguel Hoover - cheap rolex,omega,etc.... Dsnaftvyuvoikrcgmyxa
Jordan Frank - we are positive we can get you laid tn5

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Check This: Pot Vending Machines

LibertySugar — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 06:00:35 -0800

No, this is not a story about Amsterdam. California vending machines will soon dispense medical marijuana. According to the UK's Guardian, which reported on the latest thing to hit the golden state, two Los Angeles medical marijuana centers plan on installing the machines.

The vending machines will provide a safe way for registered customers to secure medicinal highs after hours. The Herbal Nutrition Center explained that its clients will have to slide a card, greet a security guard, provide a finger print, and take a picture.

In California, along with ten other states, marijuana is legal for medical purposes. However, that's not exactly the case, as it is still illegal under federal law, which has supremacy. Thus, dispensaries escape prosecution in state court, but are still subject to federal criminal penalties if apprehended.

So are pot vending machines a little dangerous, or just another version of a 24-hour pharmacy?

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