Major US Pharmacy Chains to Offer Abortion Pill Mifepristone

CVS and Walgreens, the two largest pharmacy chains in the United States, announced plans to dispense the abortion pill mifepristone starting this month in select states. This move, enabled by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) certification under revised guidelines, represents a significant step towards improving access to abortion services. Initially, the medication will be available in stores across a few states, with plans to expand to all jurisdictions where abortion remains legal, and pharmacies are authorized to provide abortion pills. President Biden hailed this development as a crucial milestone in ensuring access to mifepristone, highlighting its safety and effectiveness record over two decades. While the chains start with a cautious rollout in states like New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, California, and Illinois for Walgreens and Massachusetts and Rhode Island for CVS, the service’s expansion is contingent on legal permissions across various states. This initiative could enhance access for patients, mainly where abortion services are available, but obtaining medication in person from providers poses challenges. The decision has sparked criticism from abortion opponents but marks a notable shift in the availability of abortion care in the U.S.

To read more, click here.

[Source: Washington Post, March 1st 2024]