Costco Will Not Sell Abortion Pill Mifepristone
Costco has announced it won’t be selling the abortion pill mifepristone at its U.S. pharmacies, citing a “lack of demand.” The company commented that its decision is primarily based on feedback from members and patients.
This decision follows pressure from conservative and religious groups. However, Costco did not confirm whether this pressure played a role in their decision-making process. A spokesperson declined to comment to the New York Post about the potential influence of these campaigns.
In a statement on social media, student President Christan Hawkins expressed approval of Costco’s choice, emphasizing the safety concerns related to the medication. She called it a victory, stating that this decision protects both mothers and their babies.
The debate surrounding abortion medications has intensified following actions by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under former President Biden, which allowed pharmacies to distribute mifepristone in person or by mail after the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision that overturned Roe v. Wade.
Mifepristone, marketed as mifeprex, works by blocking progesterone, a hormone necessary for pregnancy. When progesterone is blocked, the lining of the uterus deteriorates, leading to the termination of the pregnancy. A second medication, misoprostol, facilitates the expulsion of the pregnancy from the uterus.
According to the Guttmacher Institute, medication abortions made up 63% of all abortions in the formal U.S. healthcare system in 2023. This figure indicates a rise from 53% in 2020 and 39% in 2017. Notably, this report does not account for abortions obtained through underground channels.
Several conservative and religious organizations, including Inspire Investing and Alliance Defending Freedom, encouraged Costco not to carry the medication. They also reached out to retailers like Kroger, Walmart, and Albertsons with similar requests. Kroger has stated that it has never offered the pill and continues to monitor regulatory developments, while Walmart and Albertsons have confirmed they will not stock mifepristone either.
Meanwhile, pro-life advocates are closely watching the actions of Walgreens Boots Alliance and CVS regarding abortion medications. CVS has reiterated its commitment to women’s health and sought to provide safe, legal reproductive health services. In contrast, New York City Director Brad Lander expressed disappointment over Costco’s decision, describing it as short-sighted and detrimental to customer trust.
