Women in a north Leitrim town who are being denied access to contraception because of the religious beliefs of the sole GMS doctor there are demanding an alternative service from the North Western Health Board.
Medical card holders in Manorhamilton have been forced to go to other doctors and pay consultation fees as private patients in order to get a prescription for the pill.
One woman who was refused a prescription by the GMS doctor got one instead from the doctor's husband who runs a private practice in the town.
Ms Marie Kelly, who got a prescription in this way, said she believed the health board was at fault for failing to provide an alternative service. Two years ago, she applied to the NWHB to change her doctor to one in Blacklion, which is about 15 miles away on a bad road.
When the health board replied asking why she wanted to change doctors, she wrote back explaining the situation. She has since had to change back because she felt she needed a doctor close by for her two young children.
"In this day and age, it is ridiculous that you can't get a simple thing like the pill. What is the point in having a medical card if you can't use it, and I would ask the health board if she should be the medical card doctor when she refuses to prescribe contraception," Ms Kelly said.
A number of other women who spoke to The Irish Times confirmed that they were also refused contraception. Both single and married women have been refused.
Ms Patricia McPadden said many women went to a family planning centre in Sligo, but this was not an easy option for women who had no transport or for those looking for emergency contraception.
The North Western Health Board has issued a statement saying it was aware that the GP in question "is not in a position to provide this service".
The board has undertaken "a needs assessment study of family planning and contraceptive services" and this will guide the development of services.
"In the meantime other GPs in the area are providing the service," the statement added.
In a second statement, it said it was aware people were experiencing difficulties and was "prepared to meet with such individuals to explore interim measures" which could be put in place pending the results of the needs assessment.
The Labour election candidate, Mr Declan Bree, has raised the issue with the health board, and said that despite representations, it had failed to provide an alternative service.
The GMS doctor in Manorhamilton was contacted by The Irish Times but was unavailable for comment.