Pharmacy chain Soul Pattinson has cut ties with a chemist who came under fire for asking customers to shop elsewhere if they use the pill for birth control, with the Prime Minister describing the chemist’s behaviour as ‘‘highly unusual’’.

The Thurgoona Soul Pattinson Chemist - the only pharmacy in an outer suburb of Albury - reignited controversy on social media this week after a photo of a note placed in a packet of oral contraceptive pills was posted on Facebook.

Pharmacy owner Simon Horsfall slips a note into every oral contraceptive pill packet, which says he accepts the teachings of the Catholic Church and is against the use of artificial contraception. The pharmacy also refuses to stock condoms and the morning-after pill.

Soul Pattinson released a statement late on Thursday saying it had ended its association with the Thurgoona pharmacy and did not support the chemist’s stance on contraceptive products.