CVS and Walgreens will reportedly begin selling the abortion pill mifepristone at select stores in several states later this month, the pharmacy chains announced on Friday. The move to fill prescriptions for the controversial drug comes as an effort to counteract recent pro-life legislation that has restricted abortion access in certain jurisdictions.
According to The New York Times, CVS and Walgreens executives received certification from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last year. The agency revised its policies last January to allow retail pharmacies to dispense mifepristone to anyone with a prescription from a certified healthcare provider.
Both chains will begin dispensing the pills at select pharmacies in New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, California, and Illinois, and then gradually expand to other states where the drug can be legally supplied (about half of the country). Per Reuters, the pills will not be available through the mail.
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In response to the announcement, President Joe Biden, who has made access to abortion a cornerstone of his reelection campaign, called the decision “an important milestone.” He also touted the fact that mifepristone has been “approved by the Food and Drug Administration as safe and effective for more than 20 years.”
“I encourage all pharmacies that want to pursue this option to seek certification,” he added.
In states where legal challenges have been filed, the pharmacy chains will wait until final decisions are made to protect pharmacists and staff members. Widespread access to mifepristone will likely be determined by a Supreme Court case to be heard later this month.
Connor Walcott is a staff writer for Valuetainment.com. Follow Connor on X and look for him on VT’s “The Unusual Suspects.”
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