Kroger: Policy Is to Carry Plan B in All Stores

CINCINNATI -- Following an incident in Rome, Ga., where a Kroger Co. pharmacist declined to sell the over-the-counter Plan B contraceptive to a woman, and after activist criticism of the retailer, the company said Friday that its policy is to carry Plan B in all its stores. Kroger said in a statement that it believes medications are a private matter for patients. “Our role as a retail pharmacy operator is to furnish medication using applicable professional standards in accordance with a doctor's prescription or as requested by a customer,” the statement continued. “The Kroger Co. began carrying dual-label OTC Plan B in November of 2006, when the FDA approved it. It is our policy to carry the product in all of our stores. If, for whatever reason, an individual pharmacist objects to furnishing this or any other medication, our policy is to find a way to accommodate the customer.” Kroger said it is taking additional step to make sure its pharmacy staffs clearly understand the policy.