Conscientious objection is the right of an individual to refuse, in cases defined by law, to perform an act that is contrary to their moral, ethical, or religious beliefs. In pharmaceutical practice, it mainly refers to situations in which a pharmacist refuses to dispense a particular medicine or provide a service because doing so would violate their conscience. In Slovenia, the issue of conscientious objection remained legally undefined for a long time, resulting in inconsistent practices and uncertainty among pharmacists. However, with the amendment to the Pharmacy Practice Act at the end of the year 2024, a complete ban on invoking conscientious objection for pharmacists was introduced, sparking debates about interference with freedom of conscience and the professional autonomy of pharmacists.
The purpose of the study was to determine the extent to which pharmacy students are familiar with the right to conscientious objection, its legal regulation, and its relevance in pharmaceutical practice, as well as their attitudes toward the possibility of exercising this right. The research was conducted using an online questionnaire that included students from all years of the Uniform Master’s Degree Programme in Pharmacy at the University of Ljubljana, including those enrolled in an additional year. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, applying the chi-square test and logistic regression.
The results showed that most students are familiar with the concept of conscientious objection, although their knowledge of its legal framework is insufficient. The majority of respondents agreed that pharmacists should be allowed to exercise conscientious objection, provided that the patient’s uninterrupted access to medicines is ensured. Senior-year students demonstrated a better understanding of legal provisions and more balanced views regarding ethical dilemmas in pharmaceutical practice. The analysis also revealed that religious affiliation, as a sociodemographic factor, is a significant predictor of support for the right to conscientious objection. Religiously affiliated students expressed greater support for and willingness to exercise this right.
The findings indicate that pharmacy students show interest in ethical issues related to conscientious objection; however, a deeper understanding of this area would be beneficial. Strengthening their knowledge would contribute to better preparing future pharmacists for ethical dilemmas they may encounter in practice and for understanding the importance of responsible decision-making in balancing freedom of conscience with their duty to the patient.
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