Calls to #BoycottWalgreens grow on social media as customers denied birth control, condoms

[pstokely]

Source: ABC 7 Eyewitness News

Some customers are calling for a Walgreens boycott after claiming that some shoppers are being denied birth control and condoms.

In several tweets, some customers said they were denied the products due to a cashier's moral or religious beliefs.

Walgreens responded to those posts, saying company policy allows pharmacists to step away from filling a prescription if they have a moral objection.

But the company said the employee is required to refer the prescription to another pharmacist or manager on duty.

Read more: https://abc7.com/walgreens-boycott-customers-denied-birth-control/12067835/

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I won't be getting my Covid booster or flu shot there

[murielm99]

1. I decided that some time ago.

We go to the health department for our boosters and flu shots now.

[MontanaMama]

2. CVS is pulling the same crap.

I’m following the Walgreens boycotting tweets and IG posts and am shouting it from the rooftops that CVS needs a swift boycott too.

[C Moon]

7. I'll boycot CVS too. And I use them. Let's see how RiteAid reacts to this.

[stopdiggin]

3. condoms are an over the counter product

so this has nothing to do with pharmacists or prescriptions.
So the more relevant question is .. is a 'clerk' allowed to refuse the sale of a package of cigarettes, a bottle of wine, or a quart of motor oil - on the basis of 'moral beliefs?'

[pstokely]

4. they keep them locked at Quiktrip

nt

[forgotmylogin]

39. Target in my area has them on the shelf and you can self-checkout.

You just have to buy them in slightly larger packages - like 12 as opposed to one or two.

[Rhiannon12866]

64. And the closest CVS to me happens to be located in Target, I got both of my boosters there

[BumRushDaShow]

13. There are a number of "OTC" products that are "request only"

where in some cases like OTC PSE drugs, they have little stacks of OTC retail product insert slips representing how many units are currently "in stock" and you take the slip to the cashier (or whoever) to retrieve the product. In the case of the PSE-containing producs, those are tracked.

But then you have pharmacies locking up condoms (which are OTC medical devices) and related products -



Originally the claim was "theft" but then that seems idiotic.

I know it has been reported earlier this year about the "locked" baby formula too...



Agree that the "moral belief" assertion (and I'll add for ANY product) is just bullshit.

[rpannier]

28. Which I find bizarre

To tell you how far we've lurched into Crazytown, when I was a kid (60s and 70s) condoms were sold in dispensers in men's bathrooms

[BumRushDaShow]

31. Oh I know

In those days, you also had Tampax sold in women's bathrooms! Of course there were also cigarette machines all over the place too.

[rpannier]

32. Very true

Thinking about it, they could just put a condom dispenser in Walgreens and people could buy them that way. You could buy them individually, or by the box and those poor snowfakes (sic) would not have to have their religious beliefs wounded

[BumRushDaShow]

33. Exactly

Although if the corporate owners are really the ones behind the extremist polices, they wouldn't want to either "lose sales" by having a 3rd party vendor with a machine in their business where they may not get a cut nor be able to harass those who want to be proactive responsible citizens -OR- realize that by having one there would expose their hypocrisy and would not allow them to hide behind "blaming the employees".

[LeftInTX]

53. We lock up cosmetics big time!

However, here are the condoms at my local Walgreens. They are not locked.




I don't think condoms are shoplifted as much as cosmetics at this location.

However, you should see what they do with cosmetics at WalMart? They wall off entire aisles at night.

It's all about shoplifting.

Hard to shoplift in a dispenser.

[LeftInTX]

46. Looks like theft prevention to me

You should see the cosmetics sections at some WalMarts. You can usually tell that it's theft prevention if some stores have it and some don't.

We don't have false eyelash products under lock and key at my local grocery store, but when I went into a different part of town, all false eyelashes were under lock and key. (Feb 13, 2022)

The local WalMart literally closed off there cosmetic section when they were open 24 hours. I haven't checked if they close the entire part of after 7 pm or what they do now. But there were huge accordion gates on the cosmetic section after 10 pm last time I checked. (This was pre-Covid) After that, I quit shopping for cosmetics at WalMart.

[BumRushDaShow]

48. They do have some theft prevention strategies in some stores in certain zipcodes

But I have tried to find a pic of what I'm talking about regarding certain things like Plan B, etc., where it is not being treated as "OTC" but as one article I saw, "BTC" (Behind the Counter), so you can't easily just get it off the shelf, but have to request it.

Actually - I think this pic actually show that concept where the top shelf of the display in the center (with the sign "Allergy & Sinus" ), has shelf separators for certain products but there are no actual boxes of product there - simply slips that depict the product, and you would take one and present it at the counter to get the product -

[LeftInTX]

54. Went to local Walgreens tonight and this is what I saw:

This is locked:

[BumRushDaShow]

55. The top shelf display

looks like the retail packages are in a plexiglass "box" (where it's unclear how to get in to remove one).

And LOL at the bottom pic! I don't know if I have seen that much of that product at my pharmacies.

I haven't been in a Walgreen's for a long time (my scripts are are at Riteaid).

[LeftInTX]

56. You take the box to the cashier and they remove the product at the checkout or disable the security

feature on the box.

Best Buy does this with numerous products, so does WalMart electronics (smaller electronics) and my grocery store does this with expensive cosmetics.

The box has an alarm which produces a beeping sound if someone tries to leave the store without paying.


I can go back and show you ...LOL

But I am short, so I will need to get on my tiptoes to get that box down..LOL

[BumRushDaShow]

58. Okay LOL - I have seen that "empty box" feature

(or variations of an anti-theft feature with a small magnetic-tagged lock box that a cashier has to open to get your goods - Staples where I am uses those for inkjet cartridges) for other products.

Was trying to describe a similar thing - but instead of an empty "box" it's actually a paper insert with the image of the product and you take that product slip to the cashier (who stores it) and are handed the product. The number of slips in the product's shelf slot also indicates the current inventory of it in the store so if there are 7 slips, that's how many the store has available for sale "behind the counter".

I have had to do this with pseudoephedrine-containing products because those get tracked by the state (per federal law) and requires ID (driver's license or other government-issued identification).

[LeftInTX]

59. I know what you're talking about it.

In addition to sudafed, I see it on bulky items such as furniture.

[BumRushDaShow]

61. Yes!

And I think the slips have barcodes so they can scan the item with the price - including with those (often boxed) furniture purchases.

[AllyCat]

5. They are the only place in town to get a special contact solution I need

Will just have to order online or see if I can bulk order from the indy pharmacy.

[patricia92243]

18. https://costplusdrugs.com/

[Demsrule86]

57. They don't even have three of my new meds.

[C Moon]

6. No money from me to Walgreens.

[PortTack]

8. Drug costs- the cost you and I pay are much higher at Walgreens than other pharmacies

Including HyVee, other grocery chains that have pharmacies and online.

I used to really like Walgreens, here’s how they lost me. They many times will have a buy one get 2nd at 50% off, only there’s only one on the shelf for purchase. When I ask they always have the same reply….I guess that’s all we have right now. Sure. I just despise those kinds of tactics. They know most will go ahead and purchase rather than just leaving..not me

[3Hotdogs]

17. Don't they offer a "rain check?"

N.J. requires stores to offer raincheck unless the ad says there are only # available.

[PortTack]

38. I've not been offered one. I have been offered a similar product, but it's not necessarily what want

[patricia92243]

19. https://costplusdrugs.com/

[Skittles]

9. WHY HIRE PEOPLE WHO CANNOT PERFORM ALL JOB DUTIES

WHO THE FUCK DOES THAT

these fucking ASSHOLES are passing judgment on their customers, using their SANCTIMONIOUS DELUSIONS as justification.....GET THE FUCK RID OF THEM

[Roy Rolling]

11. This +1000% 👆

[OldBaldy1701E]

44. Hear Hear!

[sellitman]

45. I totally agree

Fire their butts. Let them go recieve Church Handouts to eat. Do your job or go home.

[Achilles Skye]

10. Why does Walgreens allow their employees to bring religion into transactions?

If policy is for an employee to get someone who can perform the transaction, then the only words these employees should say is, "let me get someone who can help you" and that be the end of it.

[Ligyron]

12. Oh no, that would be aiding and abetting...

Probably think it might be another year in Purgatory or some shit.

[3Hotdogs]

16. Jesus don't like that burf control shit.

[rpannier]

29. I don't disagree

But, I'll bet they've probably been told by their attorneys they'd lose the lawsuit if they fired them. That jackass who used to coach WSU football is suing because he was canned for not having got a shot

[ashredux]

14. Damn sill shit...we unleashed the "crazy" lurking in many folks....

[mwb970]

15. This makes no sense.

They refuse to do their jobs. So fire them! Let them find jobs where they are able to perform all of the required functions.

This seems too obvious to even bother saying, but I guess not.

[rpannier]

30. Depends on company policy

Also, likely depends on what their attorneys tell them is the likelihood they'd lose the lawsuit

[mwb970]

41. I am talking about common sense.

If a car salesman refuses to sell imported cars to customers who want them he will be let go or reassigned. Same with a telephone support person who instantly hangs up on anyone whose name begins with "L". The reason for the refusal does not matter. They can't do their job properly so they have to go.

[Farmer-Rick]

20. Walgreens wouldn't accept the military healthcare plan for prescriptions

Trying to squeeze the government for more money. The military then went to CVS. Then Walgreens changed their tune when they lost money and customers.

Eversince then, I never go to Walgreens.

They caused a lot of grief for people having to go back and forth to set up prescription accounts.

Imagine going to your regular pharmacy expecting to fill a prescription you need due to an emergency illness. Then you find out they are charging 10 times more because they don't accept your insurance. Some people paid more because they didn't know better. Some had to go looking for other pharmacies, not knowing why their accounts had been closed.

Walgreens sucks.

[intheflow]

21. How widespread is this?

The article says some customers, but how many people has this happened to at how many pharmacies? If this is happening at one Walgreens in a small Texas town, or has it happened throughout the country? I’m down with boycotting if it’s pervasive throughout the chain, but if it’s one location with one MAGA pharmacist, a nationwide boycott seems like overkill.

[sindri]

22. Where in the bible does it prohibit selling someone a pack of condoms

I understand (especially with places struggling to hire workers who will accept a low wage) businesses trying to respect the religious beliefs of their employees by allowing them to have breaks to pray, not scheduling them on their holy days, etc. but selling birth control is different. Peoples religious freedom should never extend to allowing passive-aggressive control over the lawful (for the time being anyway) purchases of others. That is a never-ending rabbit hole. If someone doesn't think women should wear makeup or men shouldn't shave their beards does that allow them to prevent someone from purchasing products? Don't just boycott Walgreens but write to them and suggest they call bullshit on anyone who uses religion to try and shame or intimidate their customers. Boundaries must be set. They can respect the genuine religious beliefs of their employees but not allow them to use religion as an excuse to abuse customers.

[Skittles]

52. I guarantee you none of these sanctimonious assholes are against boner pills

fucking hypocrites

[mopinko]

23. i despise walgreens, have for a long time.

partly cuz the closest one to me has to be one of the worst, slowest in the system.
not unusual to wait a whole day for new rx. took 1 1/2 to get my 1st covid shot. there were 2 ppl in line ahead of me.

my 1st medigap required me to use them, so i transferred everything from cvs. then they changed that, so i switched back. took 3 phone calls, iirc, to get that straight. when they transferred it back, they attached some random email address to the account, and i couldnt get access to cvs online. never did get it settled.

they also piss me off cuz when you buy tobacco, they scan your id. check the 67 yo white haired lady, whatev, but snatch my info? bad enough they harvest your info to give you any kind of deal. if i have to go there, i wont buy things on their skeevy deals.

they tried that shit after some other bc legal dustup years back, and illinois passed a law on that shit in record time.
so glad to live in a free state.

[LiberalFighter]

24. Here is an idea. There should be a performance bonus.

Which they lose if refuse to service a customer because of their religious beliefs.

[Ritabert]

25. I've been boycotting them for several years

They tried to charge my husband $300 for some med even though we have insurance. I went to the local hospital pharmacy and got it for $20.

[lark]

26. My choices for a pharmacy that's ultra close are Walgreens or CVS.

Walgreens always fills my rx timely, CVS was a problem so that's why I switched to Walgreens. I much preferred Eckerds, where the pharmacist was a neighborhood person and was outstanding, but they got bought out by CVS, darn it.

We tried the grocery store pharmacies within a few miles and all had issues that caused us to switch.

[bluestarone]

27. I wouldn't go there.

Sounds like the Hobby Lobby of Pharmacies. YUCK!

[NewEnglandAutumn]

34. I work there and here

we carry plan B in the aisle where it can just be purchased the same for condoms it is likely because of state laws that stores have to abide by.

While I believe any pharmacist who refuse to fill a prescription it needs to be kept in mind that they have a state license and have the right to question prescriptions ie. many are very cautious filling any Rx for C2 medications partly because it is their license on the line. There is also the issue that it is not easy finding pharmacists to work at retail stores. The hours, abuse, etc are brutal.

I think that chain stores are afraid that if they do not back a pharmacist who refuses to fill an Rx they are opening themselves up to lawsuits from states and pharmacists. They also would have a problem justifying backing a pharmacist's right to question C2 Rx but not other meds.

Personally I don't work as a pharmacist but I am sick of the verbal and physical abuse we are subjected to by customers. Everyone is burned out from working in an underpaid overworked pressure cooker.

[LiberalFighter]

35. Doesn't say where it is happening.

[Bayard]

36. Left Walgreens a few years ago

Fortunately, we have a small family-owned pharmacy here in town. They're great! They even encourage you to bring your dog in.

[turbinetree]

37. Just imagine everyone on social security getting there prescriptions there....

[forgotmylogin]

40. They should seriously bring back restroom dispensers.

Even better, set up public vending machines like they have in Japan, and sell condoms, feminine hygiene products, and other quick personal necessities outside by the RedBox machine.

[The Jungle 1]

42. Part of freedom ls...

minding your own business. They are welcome to their morality. Just stay out of my face with your morality.

[usaf-vet]

43. Where is this happening? Is it universal across the country? Is there data or are these......

...... anecdotal reports?

I'm curious because our local Walgreens seems to have a rotating group of pharmacists.

Here today and gone tomorrow.

Are they letting cashiers make these calls, or is it the pharmacists?

[Igel]

50. Ah, scepticism.

Now, they're anecdotal reports. Not so much evidence as claims.

[Bengus81]

62. The same fucking hypocrites who want a 100% ban on abortion

Yet then some of them "have a problem" with selling condoms and birth control?? This BS is allowed by management which is why they should be boycotted.

So....Mikey D's and Burger King would keep employee's who have a problem with serving red meat products?? Yeah right they would.

[LiberalFighter]

47. Should target the specific Walgreens and pharmacist.

Make the pharmacist leave.

[duckworth969]

49. Walgreens scrip prices & insurance stiff-arms: CVS & condoms

Walgreens is difficult to deal with regarding medical insurance for scrips and their prices are always the highest around. You’re better off shopping elsewhere.

Was in CVS yesterday and saw three guys (probably college boys) buying armfuls of full boxes of condoms. When the cashier gave them a look like, “what the hell”, one of the guys said they wanted to get them in case the laws change.

[lostnfound]

51. I consider CVS worse. Walgreens is often helpful.

CVS bought Aetna a couple years ago — trump DOJ approved it — and specialty pharmaceuticals became a disaster financially.
Walgreens is always looking for less expensive prices for me. It’s still crazy, butends up being thousands of dollars less than trying to get it through CVS.

[Samrob]

60. Shut it down!

[IronLionZion]

63. A cashier denying purchases is not religious freedom

it's just the cashier being an asshole.

It's such an idiotic policy. Walgreens has to be losing money if cashiers refuse to let customers buy products the store sells. So it doesn't make any business sense either.