Early in 1992, citing “unreasonable accommodations,” the University of Florida dismissed pharmacist Michael Katsonis for refusing to dispense the “oral” contraceptive Ovral for use as a “morning after” abortifacient.
Dr. Katsonis is a member of the U.S.-based Pharmacists for Life, but aside from a formal protest lodged by the president of the Florida chapter, no other professional pharmacy organization has come to his defense.
Prior to his dismissal, Dr. Katsonis was a staff pharmacist at the University of Florida’s (Gainesville) student health clinic. Although he had been given the reasonable option of having another pharmacist fill the prescription, the university later closed this conscience loophole.
