Walgreens (WAG) and CVS Health (CVS) To Start Selling Abortion Pill In Some States By Next Week

Today, both Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (WBA) and CVS Health Corporation (CVS) announced their plans to offer the abortion pill mifepristone in states where it is legally permitted, with implementation slated to commence as early as next week.

Walgreens confirmed the completion of the Food and Drug Administration’s certification process for mifepristone sales and anticipates initiating distribution within a week. The company emphasized a phased rollout in select locations to uphold standards of quality, safety, and privacy for patients, providers, and staff.

Meanwhile, CVS disclosed ongoing efforts to secure the medication from manufacturers and suppliers, with plans to commence prescription fulfillment in Massachusetts and Rhode Island in the coming weeks. The expansion to additional states, where permissible by law, will follow on a progressive basis.

This strategic move by two major pharmacy networks is poised to broaden access to the medication, which is currently embroiled in legal disputes over FDA approval, now pending before the U.S. Supreme Court.

President Biden welcomed the development, noting that with major retail chains now certified to dispense medication abortion, women will soon have local access akin to obtaining any other prescription. He encouraged all pharmacies interested in this option to pursue certification.

The FDA’s modification of risk protocols for mifepristone in January 2023 paved the way for pharmacies to become certified for dispensation, subject to compliance with agency regulations.

Walgreens, previously under scrutiny from both abortion rights advocates and opponents, will introduce mifepristone in select locations across New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, California, and Illinois. Specific pharmacy locations will not be disclosed for the sake of pharmacist and patient safety.