A woman has been refused the contraceptive pill because it was against the religious beliefs of a pharmacist.

The female employee at Lloyds pharmacy on Duke Street in Sheffield told Janine Deeley she could not give her the prescription on religious grounds.

Ms Deeley, 38, of Wybourn, was told she could pick up the pill the next day, when another staff member was on duty.

A Lloyds pharmacy spokeswoman said an investigation had begun.

'Very sorry'

Ms Deeley told BBC Look North: "The pharmacist beckoned me to a shielded-off area and said she was not prepared to give me the contraception because it was against her religion.

"I said it was not against my religion and I did not see why I should have to go to another chemist or come back at a later date for a different pharmacist to dispense it.

"I was angry and I was confused."

A Lloyds spokeswoman said: "Lloyds pharmacy is very sorry that Ms Deeley was refused supply of her prescribed contraceptive pill at our Duke Street pharmacy.

"We have launched an investigation into the incident and have been in contact with her to apologise for any distress and inconvenience caused."

The spokeswoman said she was not aware which religion the pharmacist followed.

An NHS Sheffield spokeswoman said: "We take patients' concerns very seriously, and while we have not yet received a complaint from Ms Deeley we would be happy to investigate the matter on her behalf if she gets in touch through our normal complaints system."

Source: BBC, 10 March 2010