In Reversal, Wal-Mart Will Sell Contraceptive

[Doodlebug]

Relenting to pressure from state government officials, Wal-Mart Stores said yesterday that it would begin carrying Plan B, an emergency contraception pill, in all of its United States pharmacies by the end of the month.

http://www.goupstate.com/apps/pbcs.d...57/1051/NEWS01

I personally don't understand why they wouldn't sell the contraceptive in the first place. I mean, don't they want to make some extra money?

[adam]

They'd make money by selling this stuff, but would risk losing money from boycotts. The Religious Right within the U.S. has both the numbers and organization that most groups don't to put a rather serious dent into Wal-Mart's profits.

Personally, I never understood the whole logic behind pharmacists (or chemists, if you prefer) refusing to sell some types of contraception. Selling contraceptives and offering advice on them is in the job description.

And the whole matter of "I won't sell this pill to you but this other guy standing right next to me will" is simply an excercise in stupidity.

[rockerton]

what ever happened to separation of church and state anyway/

[stormtrooperdude]

Originally Posted by rockerton

what ever happened to separation of church and state anyway/

Did you read the article? The State is pushing for Wal-Mart to selling the product. And I for one have never heard of separation between "church and walmart."

Wal Mart has to do what is best for them... and if that means not carrying a product to keep a particular group happy, they will.

For example you wouldn't see Walmart selling NAZI flags right? Although they would pick up the business of neo-nazis, billions of people would boycott their store for it.

EDIT: Also I don't see how the government can force Walmart to carry Plan B, seems almost unamerican to me. So what if they are the only pharmacy in the area does that mean they should be forced into possibly loosing business. If this were america they would be allowed to sell whatever they wanted, but also another pharmacy would be allowed to move next door that sells Plan B.


For the record I am in no way a bible thumper. I just think a private business should have more rights than that.

[rockerton]

Originally Posted by stormtrooperdude

Did you read the article? The State is pushing for Wal-Mart to selling the product. And I for one have never heard of separation between "church and walmart."

Wal Mart has to do what is best for them... and if that means not carrying a product to keep a particular group happy, they will.

For example you wouldn't see Walmart selling NAZI flags right? Although they would pick up the business of neo-nazis, billions of people would boycott their store for it.

EDIT: Also I don't see how the government can force Walmart to carry Plan B, seems almost unamerican to me. So what if they are the only pharmacy in the area does that mean they should be forced into possibly loosing business. If this were america they would be allowed to sell whatever they wanted, but also another pharmacy would be allowed to move next door that sells Plan B.


For the record I am in no way a bible thumper. I just think a private business should have more rights than that.

touche......

[adam]

Originally Posted by stormtrooperdude

Did you read the article? The State is pushing for Wal-Mart to selling the product. And I for one have never heard of separation between "church and walmart."

Wal Mart has to do what is best for them... and if that means not carrying a product to keep a particular group happy, they will.

For example you wouldn't see Walmart selling NAZI flags right? Although they would pick up the business of neo-nazis, billions of people would boycott their store for it.

EDIT: Also I don't see how the government can force Walmart to carry Plan B, seems almost unamerican to me. So what if they are the only pharmacy in the area does that mean they should be forced into possibly loosing business. If this were america they would be allowed to sell whatever they wanted, but also another pharmacy would be allowed to move next door that sells Plan B.


For the record I am in no way a bible thumper. I just think a private business should have more rights than that.

The problem arises that a monopoly has a certain social responsibility. The right of the individual to have access to reliable contraceptives (especially Plan B, as it is often used by victims of sexual assault/abuse) should trump the right of a private business to conduct its business as it pleases.

Wal-Mart's refusal so sell Plan B amounts to de facto refusal to sell Plan B to victims of rape and sexual assault. I think that's the sticking point here.