Updated: 09:08 AM EST
Illinois Druggists Must Dispense Birth Control
By MAURA KELLY LANNAN, AP

CHICAGO (April 2) - Gov. Rod Blagojevich approved an emergency rule
Friday requiring pharmacies to fill birth control prescriptions quickly
after a Chicago pharmacist refused to fill an order because of moral
opposition to the drug.

The emergency rule takes effect immediately for 150 days while the
administration seeks a permanent rule.

"Our regulation says that if a woman goes to a pharmacy with a
prescription for birth control, the pharmacy or the pharmacist is not
allowed to discriminate or to choose who he sells it to,'' Blagojevich
said. "No delays. No hassles. No lectures.''

Under the new rule, if a pharmacist does not fill the prescription
because of a moral objection, another pharmacist must be available to
fill it without delay.

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation has
also filed a formal complaint against the Chicago Osco pharmacy for the
Feb. 23 incident.

The pharmacy was cited for "failing to provide appropriate
pharmaceutical care to a patient.'' Penalties could include a fine,
reprimand or revocation of the pharmacy's license.

An Osco spokeswoman did not immediately return a call Friday.

Steve Trombley, CEO for Planned Parenthood in Chicago, praised the
state's efforts.

"When medical professionals write prescriptions for their patients,
they are acting in their patients' best interests,'' Trombley said. "A
pharmacist's personal views cannot intrude on the relationship between
a woman and her doctor.''

The Chicago pharmacist was not the first to attract attention for
refusing to fill a birth control prescription.

In February, a judge recommended that a Roman Catholic pharmacist in
Wisconsin be reprimanded and required to attend ethics classes after
the pharmacist blocked a woman's attempt to fill a prescription for
birth control pills in 2002.


04/02/05 02:49 EST

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