CVS and Walgreens to Begin Selling Abortion Pills

CVS and Walgreens, two of the largest pharmacy chains in the U.S., are set to start dispensing the abortion pill mifepristone this month, a move that has been met with approval from President Joe Biden. Both pharmacies announced they had received certification from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to distribute mifepristone under guidelines issued by the FDA last year.

Initially, the medication will be available in select stores, with plans to expand to additional locations in the future. However, customers looking to receive the pill via mail will need to wait, as the medication will only be dispensed in-store for now. CVS spokesperson Matt Blanchette confirmed that the company is working with suppliers to secure the medication and plans to begin filling prescriptions in states where it is legally permissible.

Walgreens has also completed the FDA certification process and expects to begin dispensing the medication within the next week. They will implement a phased rollout in selected locations, focusing on ensuring safety, quality, and privacy for their patients. Both retailers confirmed that they will eventually expand access to other states where abortion is legal, which includes about half of the U.S. states, such as Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, California, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.

President Biden praised this development, calling it an “important milestone” for improving access to mifepristone, a drug that has been FDA-approved as safe and effective for over 20 years. He encouraged other pharmacies to seek certification, emphasizing the significance of making this medication more widely available.