Walgreens and CVS on Wednesday said they plan to sell the abortion pill after the U.S. Federal Drug Administration relaxed its rules on where patients can buy the drug.
The announcements from the pharmacy chains come one day after the FDA said any certified mail and brick-and-mortar pharmacy can dispense the abortion pill mifepristone. Patients will still need a prescription but will no longer be required to pick it up in person at a doctor’s office or clinic.
CVS and Walgreens will need to get certified in the FDA’s program before they can begin selling the drug, and the new rule won’t change access for those in states where abortion is restricted.
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Walgreens did not say when it expects to start selling the pill.
“We are working through the registration, necessary training of our pharmacists, as well as evaluating our pharmacy network in terms of where we normally dispense products that have extra FDA requirements and will dispense these consistent with federal and state laws,” Walgreens spokesperson Marty Maloney said in a statement.
CVS spokesperson Amy Thibault said the company plans to seek certification to dispense mifepristone “where legally permissible.”
Rite Aid spokesperson Catherine Carter said the company is reviewing FDA action and will comply with federal and state law.
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What about independent pharmacies?
Independent pharmacies have also expressed interest in dispensing the abortion pill, according to Ronna Hauser, senior vice president of policy and pharmacy affairs at the National Community Pharmacists Association, which represents about 19,400 independent pharmacies nationwide.
“Those in states that would allow this have told me they are looking into it, looking to get certified,” Hauser told USA TODAY.
What about patients in states where abortion is banned?
The updated FDA rules won’t change abortion pill access for those who live in states with laws that restrict access to medical abortions.
How does the abortion pill work?
Mifepristone is used to dilate the cervix and block the hormone needed to sustain a pregnancy.
While mifepristone is followed up with a second medication called misoprostol that causes the uterus to contract and expel tissue, the FDA rule only applies to the first drug.
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