Deerfield, Ill.-based Walgreen on Monday suspended without pay four pharmacists who worked at stores in Illinois near St. Louis for violating a state rule and company policy that does not allow pharmacists to deny prescriptions for emergency contraception because of moral or religious beliefs, the AP/MSNMoney.com reports (Suhr, AP/MSNMoney.com, 12/1). An Illinois rule -- which was proposed by Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) and approved in August by the Illinois Joint Committee on Administrative Rules -- requires state pharmacies to dispense EC if they stock any FDA-approved contraceptive. 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. Pharmacies violating the rule risk losing their licenses. Under the rule, pharmacies can opt not to sell any contraceptives. Several lawsuits have been filed by pharmacy owners and pharmacists to try to prevent the rule from taking effect (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 9/26). The four pharmacists, who cited religious or moral beliefs as reasons for declining to dispense EC, "have said they would like to maintain their right to refuse to dispense," which is not an option in Illinois, according to Walgreen spokesperson Tiffani Bruce. She added that Walgreen's policy states that pharmacists can decline to fill prescriptions on moral grounds in states where the law allows it, but they must refer patients to another pharmacist or store that will fill the prescription. She said the pharmacists will remain on unpaid leave "until they either decide to abide by Illinois law or relocate to another state" with no rule or law. Bruce also said that the company would assist them in obtaining a license in Missouri -- which does not have such a law -- where they could work for Walgreen. Ed Martin, an attorney for the pharmacists, on Tuesday called the suspension "pretty disturbing" and said they might take legal action if Walgreen does not reconsider. The four pharmacists were the first to be disciplined by the company under the state's rule, Bruce said (AP/MSNMoney.com, 12/1).