OAN’s Brooke Mallory
11:43am – Friday, March 1, 2024
Two of America’s largest pharmacy chains, CVS and Walgreens, announced on Friday that they would begin selling abortion pills as early as this month.
advertisement
Mifepristone, a popular abortion drug, is labeled as a “prescription drug.” In 2000, the FDA approved mifepristone for use in abortions, calling it a “safe and reliable” method of terminating unwanted pregnancies.
Both CVS and Walgreens made the announcements following regulatory changes enacted by the Food and Drug Administration last year that allow retail pharmacies to sell the pills. CBS Newssays it has certification to distribute the pills.
President Joe Biden praised the pharmacy’s actions, which are consistent with restrictions on abortion access in many U.S. states.
“There is no greater risk to women across America,” Biden said in a statement Friday. She said Biden “encourages all pharmacies that want to pursue this option to seek certification.”
More and more women are choosing to terminate unwanted pregnancies using abortion pills rather than surgery. More than half of all abortions performed in the United States in 2020 were medication-assisted.
For this reason, abortion opponents filed a lawsuit against the FDA over the drug’s approval and held protests outside pharmacies after CVS and Walgreens announced last year their intention to provide patients with prescription access. was organized.
Since the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2022, many states have restricted access to abortion.
To purchase abortion pills, you must go to a store, as mailing drugs is prohibited.
“Walgreens has completed the FDA certification process to dispense mifepristone and expects to begin dispensing within a week in accordance with federal and state law,” the company said in a statement Friday. CBS News. “We are beginning a phased rollout in select regions to help ensure quality, safety and privacy for patients, healthcare providers and team members.”
In a statement provided to CBS NewsCVS announced that it will begin shipping drugs to pharmacies in Massachusetts and Rhode Island in the coming weeks.
“We are certified to dispense mifepristone at CVS pharmacies and will receive prescriptions for the drug in the following states: [it is] “Legally permissible,” CVS said. The pharmacy chain added that it “will gradually expand to other states as permitted by law.”
Stay informed. Receive breaking news directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
Please share this post!
