A Planned Parenthood Springfield Area nurse practitioner on Tuesday filed a complaint with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations that alleges a Walgreen pharmacist in West Peoria, Ill., violated a state rule that requires pharmacies to dispense prescriptions for emergency contraception -- which can prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours of sexual intercourse -- the AP/ABC7chicago.com reports (AP/ABC7chicago.com, 1/12). The Illinois rule -- which was proposed by Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) and approved in August 2005 by the Illinois Joint Committee on Administrative Rules -- requires state pharmacies to dispense EC 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. Under the rule, pharmacies can opt not to sell any contraceptives (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 12/22/05). PPSA nurse practitioner Stephanie Cox said she called in a prescription on Sunday for Barr Laboratories' emergency contraceptive Plan B, but a pharmacist at the Walgreens store refused to fill the prescription. Cox said the pharmacist told her that the store did not carry the drug and did not direct her to another pharmacy (AP/ABC7chicago.com, 1/12). Cox said she later called the store manager, who told her that the store did have Plan B in stock when it was requested. Local representatives for the company declined to comment on the complaint, and a Walgreen spokesperson said the company is investigating the complaint. State officials declined to comment but said that last year another pharmacist at the same store -- which was then at a different location -- declined to fill a prescription for Plan B. The hearing of last year's complaint is scheduled for March 6 in Chicago (Brown, Copley News Service/State Journal-Register, 1/12).