Illinois Oversight Committee Approves Ruling Requiring Pharmacies That Sell EC To Post Signs About Regulations For Dispensing Pill

The Illinois Legislature's Joint Committee on Administrative Rules on Tuesday approved a rule that would require each of Illinois' 2,700 pharmacies to post a sign informing customers that pharmacists are required to dispense prescriptions for emergency contraception, the AP/Belleville News Democrat reports (Bellandi, AP/Belleville News Democrat, 8/8). Another rule, which was proposed by Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) and approved in August 2005 by the joint committee, requires pharmacies to dispense EC -- which can prevent pregnancy if taken up to 72 hours after sexual intercourse -- if they stock any FDA-approved contraceptive or risk losing their licenses. If any prescribed contraceptive is out of stock, pharmacies must provide an alternative, order the drug, make arrangements for another local pharmacy to fill the order or return the prescription to the customer. The rule allows pharmacies to opt not to sell any contraceptives (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 6/2). The signs that will be hung in accordance with the new rule will include information on the state's EC-related policies, as well as a toll-free phone number and a state Web site where people can file complaints and obtain more information on the state's policies, the Chicago Tribune reports. The Web site links to a letter addressed to "Illinois women" from Blagojevich, in which he promotes his efforts to increase access to contraceptives and his prescription drug coverage plan, I-SaveRx (Chase, Chicago Tribune, 8/9). Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation spokesperson Susan Hofer said the rule must be filed formally with the secretary of state by Sept. 1, so the signs can be posted. "Women will now be armed with the information they need to make sure that pharmacies are respecting their right to get the medication their doctors prescribe for them," Blagojevich said in a statement (AP/Belleville News Democrat, 8/8).

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