Anderson v. Thrifty White:
Emergency contraception case moves to trial
“We look forward to the opportunity to bring Andrea’s case to trial. No Minnesotan seeking medical care should be denied due to the personal beliefs of their health care providers. Pharmacists, like any health care provider, have a legal and ethical duty to provide their patients the care they need. In this regard, Andrea was failed at every turn, and we intend to ensure that others don’t have to jump the same ridiculous hurdles she did.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 20, 2021
CONTACT
Gabbi Pierce, Communications Manager
[email protected]
651.789.2090
Gender Justice welcomes a ruling by Aitkin County District Court in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District that will allow our lawsuit on behalf of Andrea Anderson to continue to trial.
Gender Justice filed a complaint in December, 2019 on behalf of Anderson, who was denied service by pharmacists at two pharmacies – McGregor Pharmacy (formerly Thrifty White) and CVS – when she sought to fill a prescription for emergency contraception. The complaint argued that Anderson’s experience constitutes illegal discrimination based on sex, and that denying her service based on her reproductive health care needs violates the Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA).
This week, the court denied motions by both pharmacies, which argued that a pharmacist’s refusal to fill a prescription for emergency contraception is not sex discrimination under the MHRA. By dismissing these motions, Anderson’s case can proceed to trial.
“We look forward to the opportunity to bring Andrea’s case to trial. No Minnesotan seeking medical care should be denied due to the personal beliefs of their health care providers,” said Gender Justice Legal Director Jess Braverman. “Pharmacists, like any health care provider, have a legal and ethical duty to provide their patients the care they need. In this regard, Andrea was failed at every turn, and we intend to ensure that others don’t have to jump the same ridiculous hurdles she did.”
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