Under the dome - Feb. 14

• Published February 14, 2008

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UPDATE

A survey released Wednesday by NARAL Pro-Choice Washington showed that more than 10 percent of pharmacies or pharmacists fail to stock or dispense the Plan B emergency contraceptive in Washington.

"This project really shows that this issue is much bigger than Ralph's Thriftway in Olympia, and affects countless more women statewide," NARAL's state leader, Karen Cooper, said in a statement that released the survey findings.

The group has issued a Web-based, interactive map that shows which pharmacies in Washington either don't stock or refuse to provide customers with Plan B. The map is available at http://prochoicewashington.org/issues/pharmmap.shtml.

The study found 7.4 percent of pharmacies queried did not stock Plan B, and 3 percent of pharmacies had a pharmacist who refused to dispense it.

The release came on the eve of a U.S. District Court hearing in Tacoma on Friday morning to consider motions related to a pending legal case pitting the owners of Ralph's and state Pharmacy Board regulators.

At issue is a preliminary injunction against the Pharmacy Board and its investigation into allegations brought by several women that the family-owned supermarket and pharmacy has refused to dispense the medication in keeping with state laws. Judge Ronald Leighton's order last fall said the state cannot enforce the rules against Ralph's and any other pharmacist or pharmacy.

Attorneys for Ralph's and reproductive-rights activists on the other side both are asking Leighton to amend his order.

Brad Shannon, The Olympian; news services