Netherlands: Christian Pharmacist Faces Complaint over Conscientious Objection
Christian pharmacist Florus Krijgsman faces a complaint before the Dutch health inspectorate over his refusal to dispense certain medicines on grounds of conscience. Although he arranged referrals to another local pharmacy, his policy has prompted parliamentary criticism and calls to restrict conscientious objection concerning contraception and hormone treatments for gender “transition”.
A Christian pharmacist in Nieuwegein faces a regulatory complaint after declining to dispense medicines that conflict with his religious convictions, while arranging for patients to obtain them from another local pharmacy. In a complaint dated 21 October 2026, legal organisation PILP asked the Inspectie Gezondheidszorg en Jeugd (Health and Youth Care Inspectorate, IGJ) to investigate the dispensing policy of Apotheek Vreeswijk and intervene if necessary.
Pharmacist Florus Krijgsman bases his professional practice on his Christian faith and the protection of human life at all stages. His policy covers abortion medication, the morning-after pill, contraceptive intrauterine devices, euthanasia drugs and hormone treatments for gender “transition”. According to Omroep Lekstroom, he arranged referrals to Apotheek Fokkesteeg in the same town.
The controversy reached the Tweede Kamer (House of Representatives) on 19 May 2026, when MPs questioned Health Minister Sophie Hermans about the policy. In the parliamentary debate, Hermans acknowledged conscientious objection concerning abortion and euthanasia but argued that its application to what she described as "routine care" was being stretched. She announced that the Koninklijke Nederlandse Maatschappij ter bevordering der Pharmacie (Royal Dutch Pharmacists Association, KNMP) would speak with Krijgsman and consult its ethics committee.
Another MP defended the distinction between a duty to ensure access to care and an obligation to dispense every medicine personally. He asked: “Has progressive pressure now really gone so far that we force people to supply medicines that go against their own convictions?”
The profession’s Code of Pharmacists expressly addresses conflicts of conscience. Rule 14 requires a pharmacist who declines a care request on such grounds to inform the patient and refer them to a colleague. Its explanatory text specifically mentions abortion medication and euthanasia drugs, while requiring timely information, arrangements with colleagues and continuity of care without disadvantage to the patient.
In a letter to Parliament dated 17 July, Hermans confirmed that KNMP had spoken with the pharmacist and was consulting other organisations about the scope of conscientious objection. Clarification of the professional code was expected before Christmas 2026. The minister also reiterated that pharmacists have a strict duty of care but are not invariably required to dispense a medicine themselves; they remain responsible for an appropriate alternative or referral.
A subsequent complaint, supported by organisations including COC Nederland and Transgender Netwerk, specifically challenges the refusal to supply medication for "gender transition”, including puberty blockers and hormone treatments. Although the complainants acknowledge the referral arrangements, they argue that conscientious objection should not apply to these treatments and request a separate investigation by the health inspectorate.
Sources: Schreeuw om Leven, BNNVARA/Joop, PILP complaint, Parliamentary debate, Ministerial letter, Code of Pharmacists
Image: Apotheek Vreeswijk