Pharmacist refused to give miscarriage drug, woman claims

PETOSKEY — A woman is alleging a pharmacist refused to fill a prescription to help her complete a miscarriage, telling her it was against his religion.

Rachel Peterson of Ionia told the Detroit Free Press the pharmacist worked at a Meijer store in Petoskey.

She and her husband were in northern Michigan in July following the miscarriage of their twins.

Peterson said she intended to fill a prescription to accelerate the miscarriage and avoid infection, but she alleged the pharmacist refused to provide the medication.

Peterson claimed the pharmacist told her he didn't believe her explanation. She said a Meijer pharmacist hours away in Ionia agreed to fill the prescription.

Meijer spokeswoman Christina Fecher said the Petoskey pharmacist should have had another local pharmacist help Peterson.

Fecher didn't say if the pharmacist has been disciplined.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan is asking Walker-based Meijer to ensure that another incident doesn't happen.