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 Trained technicians or store owners would contact a pharmacist at another location, then follow his or her directions for dispensing the morning-after pill.
The compromise means pharmacists would not have to offer a drug they oppose on moral grounds, but minors who need it (adults can obtain emergency contraceptives without a prescription) would not be turned away.
"It seems to be a thoughtful settlement," Pam Sutherland, president of Illinois Planned Parenthood, said Wednesday. "This gives them (pharmacists) an out and it still makes sure the woman gets her prescription."
The settlement would end a lawsuit by several pharmacists and Walgreen Co. over a state rule requiring pharmacies to fill prescriptions for emergency contraception. Because it requires a change in state rules, it must be reviewed by a legislative panel before it can take effect.
Gov. Rod Blagojevich introduced the rule more than two years ago, saying pharmacists had an obligation to fill all prescriptions despite any personal qualms.
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Some companies indefinitely suspended pharmacists who objected to providing the Plan B contraceptive. Several pharmacists then sued the state to block Blagojevich's rule, and Walgreens joined their lawsuit.
Francis Manion, an attorney for the pharmacists, said the settlement is an agreement between Walgreens and the state. He said his clients generally support the deal and are dropping their lawsuit, even though they aren't part of the compromise to let a remote pharmacist oversee filling the prescription.
The settlement, first reported by The (Springfield) State Journal-Register, was filed last week. It does not include any exchange of money, attorneys said.
"We think it's fair for us as well as our pharmacists. It allows us to continue to care for patients," said Walgreens spokeswoman Tiffani Bruce.
[Associated Press; by Christopher
Wills]
Associated Press writer Jim Suhr in St. Louis contributed to this report.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed.
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