CVS and Walgreens to Start Offering Mifepristone, the Abortion Pill
Abortion access is set to expand as CVS and Walgreens, two major pharmacy chains, have announced their plans to dispense the abortion pill mifepristone starting this March. This move will provide women with greater access to safe and regulated options for terminating a pregnancy.
Easy and Convenient Access
CVS and Walgreens have received certification to offer mifepristone, which is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for terminating a pregnancy within the first 10 weeks of gestation. This medication is often used in combination with misoprostol. Customers will need a prescription, and the pharmacies will comply with all federal and state laws.
As reported by the New York Times, Walgreens will begin offering mifepristone within a week at select locations in New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, California, and Illinois. CVS, on the other hand, will roll out the pill in Massachusetts and Rhode Island in the coming weeks. CVS spokesperson Amy Thibault explained, “We’ve received certification to dispense mifepristone at CVS Pharmacy and plan to fill prescriptions for this medication in states where legally permissible.”
Expanding Access and Ensuring Safety
Both CVS and Walgreens have expressed their intentions to expand abortion pill access to more states, where allowed by law, over time. However, the pharmacies are committed to ensuring the quality, safety, and privacy of their patients, providers, and team members. This phased rollout approach will help them maintain these standards.
Supreme Court’s Role
The future of mifepristone is also in the hands of the Supreme Court, which is set to hear a case about the restrictions on its use this spring. The Biden Administration is hopeful that the court will overturn an appellate ruling that could limit access to the pill by mail, among other issues. It’s worth noting that customers of CVS and Walgreens will not be able to receive the pill through mail.
Historically, abortion pills have been the most common method of terminating a pregnancy. Even before the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, they have played a crucial role in providing a safe and effective option for women.
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