Two leading drugstore chains, CVS Health and Walgreens, have announced their intention to begin dispensing the abortion drug mifepristone in certain states within the coming weeks.
CVS Health spokeswoman Amy Thibault confirmed that the company expects to commence filling prescriptions for mifepristone in Rhode Island and Massachusetts very soon.
In a statement, Walgreens spokesman Fraser Engerman revealed that their chain will start providing the medication within a week at some locations in New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, California, and Illinois.
Engerman emphasized the company’s careful approach, starting “in select locations to allow us to ensure quality, safety and privacy for our patients, providers and team members.”
Looking ahead, Thibault mentioned that CVS Health will expand to additional states where the law permits, adopting a phased approach.
Major publications, including The New York Times, have covered the drugstores’ recent plans.
With nearly 9,400 locations, CVS Health Corp. is the largest drugstore chain in the U.S., while Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. operates around 8,700 stores nationwide. Their recent declarations mark a significant development that President Joe Biden praised in a statement for broadening access to mifepristone, allowing many women to obtain their prescriptions from local, certified pharmacies akin to other medications.
President Biden encouraged all pharmacies interested in providing the medication to get certified.
This initiative from CVS and Walgreens follows the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s finalized rule change over a year ago, which expanded the availability of abortion pills to more pharmacies, inclusive of large chains and mail-order services.
Initially approved by the FDA in 2000, mifepristone is utilized to terminate pregnancies up to 10 weeks when used jointly with another drug, misoprostol. Mifepristone works by dilating the cervix and inhibiting progesterone, whereas misoprostol, taken later, induces uterine contractions to expel pregnancy tissue. The FDA had previously limited dispensing of the drug to certain healthcare facilities due to safety considerations for over two decades.
There is currently pending litigation in the U.S. Supreme Court by conservative groups who are contesting mifepristone’s approval and the policies facilitating easier access to the drug.
The content in this news release has been provided solely by The Associated Press Health and Science Department and partially funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP maintains full editorial independence in its reporting.
FAQs About Mifepristone Dispensing at CVS and Walgreens
- Which states will CVS and Walgreens start dispensing mifepristone in?
CVS will begin in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, with plans to expand to more states. Walgreens will start in New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, California, and Illinois. - When can we expect these pharmacies to start dispensing the pill?
CVS intends to start in the coming weeks, while Walgreens foresees starting within a week from their announcement. - Why are they offering mifepristone now?
The FDA’s rule change broadened access to abortion pills, allowing more pharmacies to dispense them. - What is mifepristone and how is it used?
Mifepristone is used, along with the drug misoprostol, to terminate early pregnancies by blocking the hormone needed to sustain pregnancy and causing the uterus to expel pregnancy tissue. - Are there any legal challenges regarding the dispensing of mifepristone?
Yes, the U.S. Supreme Court is currently reviewing a case by conservative groups looking to overturn the FDA’s approval of mifepristone or the recent policies making it more accessible.
Conclusion
The move by CVS Health and Walgreens to dispense the abortion medication mifepristone represents a significant change in the availability of reproductive health services. Aligning with the FDA’s recent rule changes, this expands access to abortion care across the United States. By making mifepristone available at local drugstores, these chains are facilitating easier access to the medication, while still ensuring safety and privacy for everyone involved. As national discourse around abortion rights continues, this development will likely play a critical role in shaping access to reproductive healthcare services.