Court affirms pharmacies free to operate according to religious beliefs

The following quote may be attributed to Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Matt Bowman, director of regulatory practice, regarding a federal district court ruling issued Friday in State of Texas and Mayo Pharmacy v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in which the court affirmed that HHS’s pharmacy abortion guidance can’t require pharmacies to dispense abortion drugs or violate their religious beliefs:

“Unelected bureaucrats can’t force Americans to dispense abortion-inducing drugs against their conscience. HHS changed its pharmacy abortion guidance after the court ruled in favor of religious pharmacies in July. Now, the court made it clear that the guidance can’t require pharmacies to dispense abortion drugs or violate their religious beliefs. The ruling also indicated that the court will likely stop any future attempts by HHS to use this guidance to open a burdensome investigation against our client, Mayo Pharmacy in North Dakota, or pharmacies in Texas if they decline to dispense abortion drugs. Federal agencies must be held accountable when they overstep their authority.”

Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building, non-profit legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, parental rights, and the sanctity of life.

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