ADF Alliance Alert

http://www.alliancedefensefund.org/news/story.aspx?cid=4425

ALLIANCE DEFENSE FUND NEWS RELEASE
March 10, 2008 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT ADF MEDIA RELATIONS: (480) 444-0020 or www.telladf.org/pressroom

ADF attorneys assist Montana pro-life pharmacist

Montana Board of Pharmacy dismisses frivolous complaints
against pharmacist who declined to dispense so-called “morning after” pill

HELENA, Mont. — The Montana Board of Pharmacy has dropped all complaints against a pharmacist who declined to dispense contraceptives and the so-called “morning after pill” because of his sincerely-held religious beliefs. An ADF-allied attorney represented the pharmacist before a screening panel of the Montana Board of Pharmacy Wednesday.
“Pro-life pharmacists shouldn’t be penalized for abiding by their beliefs,” said ADF Senior Legal Counsel Byron Babione. “Respecting the right to not sell these items doesn’t impose an ideology on anyone. Forcing a pharmacist to sell them does.”

John Lane, a pharmacist in the town of Broadus, had 11 complaints filed against him with the Montana Board of Pharmacy because of his decision not to sell contraceptives and the so-called “morning after pill” at his store. On March 5, the pharmacy board met to decide if it would further investigate the complaints, which can result in an official reprimand or the revoking of a pharmacist’s license. At the meeting, the board dismissed the complaints against Lane, stating he had not violated the law.

Lane was represented at the hearing by ADF-allied attorney Matthew Monforton, of Mark Bryan, P.C., in Bozeman. Monforton was assisted by Babione and ADF Litigation Counsel David Sheasby.

“Neither the government nor an employer should make people choose between their faith and their job,” said Monforton. “The board did the right thing by recognizing that Mr. Lane did nothing to violate the law.”

ADF is a legal alliance defending the right to hear and speak the Truth through strategy, training, funding, and litigation.

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