Illinois: Pharmacies Ordered to Fill Birth Control Prescriptions

The ability of Illinois pharmacists to ignore their professional obligations has been narrowed. Last week Governor Blagojevich issued an emergency rule requiring all pharmacies to fill prescriptions for contraceptives or to immediately transfer the prescription to another pharmacy.

The Chicago Tribune reports:

"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 or who he doesn't sell it to,'' Blagojevich said. "The pharmacy will be expected to accept that prescription and fill it ... No delays. No hassles. No lectures.''

Fernando Grillo, head of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, said the emergency rule clarifies an existing requirement.

"This rule is in response, a very affirmative and strong response, that we will not tolerate pharmacies and drug stores in the state of Illinois not meeting their obligation to the women of this state in providing them good health care,'' Grillo said.

The state government is investigating a pharmacy that refused to fill a woman's prescription for birth control pills. Penalties may include fines and even a revocation of their license.

The State of Illinois issued this statement:

“Five weeks ago, two women called in prescriptions to their local pharmacy in the South Loop to purchase contraceptives.  The law gives them every right to do that.  Each woman had a prescription from her doctor.  Both women only sought to buy contraceptives.  And yet both were denied. Why?  Because the pharmacist refused to fill the prescription.  Unfortunately, this story is not unique to Chicago or to Illinois.  Cases like this have been popping up all over the country.  It’s happened in Wisconsin, Texas, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, California, and in other states around the country.  Now I don’t believe this is a coincidence.  I have a sneaking suspicion that in all likelihood, this is part of a concerted effort to deny women access to birth control.  Those involved in this effort may be getting away with this in other states, but here in Illinois, we are not going to let that happen,” said Gov. Blagojevich. 

“Contraceptive drugs lawfully prescribed by a physician should be available to anyone with a valid prescription without delay or other interference.  We support the Governor’s efforts today to improve women’s health,” said Carolyn A. Webber, MD, President of the American Medical Women's Association.

“There shouldn't be anything even remotely controversial about going to the drug store to pick up your birth control prescription, but the anti-choice movement’s willingness to intrude on our personal lives does not know any bounds. It is beyond nonsensical, and it’s time to stand up for women’s right to control our personal decisions and take personal responsibility for our reproductive health.  The women of Illinois should be very proud to have a governor like Rod Blagojevich, who wants government to support our personal choices instead of limiting them,” said Nancy Keenan, national president of NARAL Pro-Choice America.

The state government is also asking any women who have been denied access to birth control pills to contact them and let them know about it. They promise to help, which might include investigations against more pharmacies. If these pharmacies are held responsible for what their pharmacists do, the owners might take stronger action to ensure that few religious moralists don't interfere with women's health care.

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