Pharmacists warn Equality Bill could undermine right to conscientious objection

The Malta Chamber of Pharmacists has warned that the Government’s long-awaited Equality Bill (‘Bill 3’), which seeks to establish the National Commission for Human Rights and Equality, undermines pharmacists’ long-established right to practise according to science and conscience.

Taking to social media, the Chamber said pharmacists have, for generations, taken an oath to uphold these principles, which are also reflected in the Code of Ethics of the Pharmacy Profession, including the right to conscientious objection.

The Chamber said pharmacists do not discriminate against patients, as they have a professional and ethical duty to provide care to all.

At the same time, it said that pharmacists have a constitutional right to freedom of thought and conscience, as well as rights protected under the United Nations Charter of Human Rights and various Charters and Conventions of the Council of Europe.

It also noted that a Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) resolution recommends that Member States, including Malta, legislate to guarantee conscientious objection.

The Malta Chamber of Pharmacists therefore reiterated its concerns about Bill 3 and called on the Government to ensure that legislation intended to prevent discrimination does not itself discriminate by paying lip service to robust stakeholder consultation and, in turn, removing the fundamental rights of healthcare professionals.