The Washington state Board of Pharmacy on Friday dismissed about 10 of approximately 20 complaints filed against a pharmacy in Olympia, Wash., that declined to stock emergency contraception -- which can prevent pregnancy if taken up to 72 hours after intercourse -- because of moral reasons, the AP/Columbian reports. Officials in their ruling said some of the complaints against Ralph's Thriftway pharmacy were not valid because they were filed before a new state rule that requires pharmacies to dispense EC took effect (Woodward, AP/Columbian, 9/7).

The rule says that pharmacists cannot "obstruct a patient in obtaining a lawfully prescribed drug or device" and must make an alternative available in a timely fashion if they "cannot dispense" a prescription. A proposal adopted by the Board of Pharmacy says that pharmacists have a "duty to dispense lawfully prescribed ... drugs or medical devices." It also lists exceptions to the rule, which do not include personal beliefs. Under the rule, pharmacists who are opposed to EC can have another pharmacist fill the prescription, but only if the patient can receive the prescription during the same pharmacy visit.

The Northwest Women's Law Center, American Civil Liberties Union and a Planned Parenthood affiliate in August asked to intervene on behalf of women who allege they were denied EC from pharmacies in the state. A pharmacy owner and two pharmacists in Washington state on July 25 in federal court filed a lawsuit claiming that the rule, which took effect in July, violates their civil rights. The company Stormans -- which owns Ralph's Thriftway -- and pharmacists Rhonda Mesler and Margo Thelen are the plaintiffs in the case (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 8/16).

The Board of Pharmacy on Friday said that it plans to investigate the remaining complaints, which could result in sanctions against the pharmacy, including suspension of the store's pharmacy license. "How many complaints are required before patients' needs are met?" advocate Janet Blanding asked in a joint statement with NARAL Pro-Choice Washington. "This decision was based on the rules that were in place at the time of the complaint," Board of Pharmacy Director Steve Saxe said, adding, "The board has since approved tighter rules on the responsibilities of pharmacies to serve their customers" (AP/Columbian, 9/7).