Sarah Sutton and her partner Andy, from Pontprennau in Cardiff,
went to buy emergency contraception from their local Asda store in
February.
But the on-duty pharmacist refused to sell it because of her
"high morals".
The couple are said to be delighted to be expecting a baby but
are angry about the way they were treated.
Mrs Sutton told the BBC Wales' X-Ray programme how she was
stunned to discover that individual pharmacists had the right not
to dispense medicines because of personal convictions or moral
beliefs.
The couple had been celebrating a romantic Valentine's Day in
their new home but were forced to seek help after their
contraception failed.
However, when they went to the Asda pharmacy just before closing
time to buy emergency contraception, they were told by an assistant
that the on-duty pharmacist would not sell it to her.
"The assistant dealt with me, and she said the pharmacist on
duty that evening wouldn't sell me the contraceptive pill," said
Mrs Sutton.
Under the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Code of Ethics and
Standards which all pharmacists are expected to follow, a
pharmacist is allowed to refuse to sell or dispense drugs because
of their religious beliefs or personal convictions.
Mrs Sutton said she was stunned by the decision.
"I didn't really understand the reasons why but there was
nothing else I could do about it.
"The pharmacist was at the back of the area and didn't come
forward at all.
"I asked to speak to the pharmacist but the pharmacist wouldn't
speak to me, so I asked then for the pharmacist to write down the
reason why she wouldn't sell me the medication, and also I'd quite
like her name so that if I wanted to write a letter of complaint I
could.
"But the pharmacist wouldn't do that for me."
The pharmacists' Code of Ethics says that if a pharmacist does
refuse to provide a service, they must not condemn or criticise a
patient and they must advise a patient of alternative sources for
the service.
It also states that requests for emergency contraception must be
handled sensitively with due regard to the patient's right to
privacy.
But Mrs Sutton said that she was not offered any privacy.
She said that the pharmacist "did sort of look in my direction
and mumble across to me that she had high morals and that's why she
wouldn't sell me the pill.
"I took that as an implication that I didn't have high morals.
It was really rude."
She was told that she could try to obtain the pill at other
pharmacies.
Apology
She took emergency contraception the following morning but it
failed and the couple are now planning the birth of their child in
November.
"We're in a fortunate position, we're financially and
emotionally secure," she said.
"I'm concerned that this could happen to people who are not in
the same position."
Asda has apologised to Mrs Sutton and has acknowledged they
could have handled her request better.
The firm said the pharmacist did follow the Royal Pharmaceutical
Society's Code of Ethics but added it was not done in a way the
company was entirely happy with.
A spokesman said private consultation areas are being
established in all their stores, with work being completed by the
end of the year.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has said they will investigate
any complaint Mrs Sutton may make.