A Budapest pharmacy operated by the Order of Hospitallers has come under scrutiny after it emerged that it does not dispense any form of contraception, citing religious principles.
Budapest pharmacy won’t give out any contraception pills due to medieval reasons
The Gránátalma Budapest pharmacy, located within the Buda Hospital of the Hospitaller Brothers, is accessible not only to patients but also to the general public from the street. According to reports, even with valid prescriptions for both standard and emergency contraceptive pills, customers are refused service.
The Budapest pharmacy reportedly does not stock such products at all, nor does it offer to order them. This practice became evident following a test purchase by journalists of 444.hu, who found that prescriptions were declined without exception.
Religious doctrine behind the policy
The hospital is run by a Catholic order and follows Church teachings, including those outlined in the “Humanae Vitae” encyclical, which opposes artificial contraception. Under this doctrine, methods such as pills, condoms, and intrauterine devices are considered unacceptable, while natural family planning is permitted under certain conditions.
This religious stance extends beyond pharmacy practice. The hospital is also among a small number of institutions in Hungary that do not perform abortions, following a 2017 agreement with the government tied to state funding. Supporters argue that the institution’s transparency about its values allows patients to make informed choices before seeking care there.
Do they have the right to act freely? Legal and ethical questions arise
The case sparked a huge debate over the limits of religious freedom in healthcare. Hungarian law allows individual healthcare professionals to invoke conscientious objection in certain cases. However, legal experts question whether this right can be extended to an entire institution or pharmacy.
The civil liberties group Hungarian Civil Liberties Union argues that because the pharmacy provides services to the public, it should be subject to the same obligations as any other retail pharmacy.
Meanwhile, the Patent Association maintains that institutions cannot claim conscience rights—only individuals can. Critics also warn that such practices could set a precedent for limiting access to other legally prescribed treatments.
Have you heard? Prisoner in Hungary tried to escape from hospital during medical treatment. Also, allergies in Budapest: What expats and travellers should know.
There are obligations to patients the Budapest pharmacy should obey as well
Pharmaceutical regulations generally require that prescribed medicines be dispensed or, if unavailable, substituted or ordered. Critics say the pharmacy’s refusal to provide or procure contraceptives may infringe on women’s reproductive rights and access to timely healthcare.
A similar case in France reached the European Court of Human Rights, which ruled that pharmacies cannot refuse to sell legally available contraceptives on religious grounds if access depends on them. The ruling has since been cited by legal experts as a relevant benchmark in comparable disputes across Europe.
Unresolved legal status
Hungary’s National Public Health and Pharmaceutical Centre noted that institutional pharmacies are not required to hold a uniform stock, but did not clarify whether the Budapest pharmacy’s practice is lawful.
For now, the issue remains unresolved. While alternative pharmacies are available nearby, the case raises broader questions about balancing religious values with equal access to healthcare services. A potential regulatory or court review could ultimately determine whether current practices align with Hungarian and European legal standards.
Featured image: depositphotos.com
Religions – all based on old fairytales written by ancient storytellers. And yet still today, religions cause so much suffering as some people continue to rather believe in fairytales than scientific facts.
Any woman who feels that she is not fit to be the mother of the child she is bearing should be offered the option of a safe emergency contraception or abortion. Religious nutcases have no place in hospitals and pharmacies.
THROW this right back “in the lap” – of the Hungarian Roman Catholic Cardinal – the “right of right” ultra conservative, of “friendship” and support of the HUMILIATED and Disgraced former Prime Minister of Hungary – Victor Mihaly. Orban – Cardinal Peter Erdo.
Freedom of CHOICE – peoples right under DEMOCRACY – in discernment – in consciences – not to DIVIDE society that “feeds” into DIVISION separation of Roman Catholics – this Religious Order – SEGREGATING Roman Catholics.
Saint Pope Paul V1 – encyclical – “Humanae Virtue” – 1968 which was the last of his (7) seven encyclicals in his (15) fifteen years as Head of the Catholic Church – and Sovereign of the Vatican City.
In Sainthood – Saint Pope Paul v1 – his encyclical ” Humanae Virtue” to this day remains a POWERFUL division in the Holy Roman Catholics “Universal” Church – and any “flexion” to the Churches position – Canon Law or “other” – on birth control seen through the “progressive” reign of Pope Francis and being thus far – in the progressive reign of Pope Leo X1V – remains DISTANCED.
Cardinal Peter Erdo = will NOT intervene in this MATTER as he would SUPPORT its reason(s) and see it a RIGHT that this is the Policy of this Religious Order and organization.
Cardinal Erdo nears retirement age 75 years.
In HOPE for the Hungarian Holy Roman Catholic Church – he is near “inking” his request for retirement to the Holy Father in Rome.
Erdo’s retirement like that of the NEW Government in Hungary – would allow muchly needed New Life, New Light and New Air – into the Hungarian Holy Roman Catholic Church that in gargantuan undertaking NEED’s – NEW & Vibrant, being somewhat BOLD – to re-establish it-self that Cardinal Peter Erdo in his time of Cardinalship has been “of ownership” – the shrinking of numbers of Catholics in the PRACTICING of there Faith Hungarians – and NOT building the Hungarian Holy Roman Catholic Church.
Pope Leo X111 – reigned from 1878-1903 = 25 years – the holder of the most encyclicals written by a Holy Father = 85.
Pope Leo X1V = will he “threaten” ?
Cardinal Erdo – on the “opposite” side of the table – to the “progressive” style Pontificate of Pope Leo X1V.
Conclave – through the Holy Sprit spoke another reason why Cardinal Peter Erdo – never, never, never was going to ascend to the Chair of St.Peter.