Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy, two large American pharmacy chains, announced Friday 1er March, that in the coming weeks they would begin selling the abortion pill by prescription, in the handful of states where abortion is still authorized.
The abortion pill is the subject of an intense legal battle, started by anti-abortion activists. Until recently, it could not be obtained in American pharmacies, but was usually obtained in specific locations, such as abortion clinics.
The two chains, present virtually throughout the country, have received the necessary certification to sell mifepristone on prescription, the first of two pills to be taken as part of a medical abortion.
CVS Pharmacy announced plans to begin sales “in the coming weeks” in the states of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and says it wants to subsequently extend this possibility to “additional states, where permitted by law”. Walgreens, for its part, announced that it would start selling this pill. ” in a week “ in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, California, Illinois.
The group did not wish to mention the number and location of the pharmacies concerned, “in the interest of pharmacist and patient safety” – a statement revealing the tensions around this issue. Walgreens also announced plans to expand sales to “all states” or it’s “legally” possible.
“Fierce attacks” from the Republicans
Abortion – whether surgical or medical – has been banned or severely restricted in around twenty states since the Supreme Court repealed the federal guarantee of the right to have it in June 2022.
Federal authorities have since endeavored to use the means at their disposal to ensure that voluntary termination of pregnancy can be practiced where possible. In January 2023, health authorities changed the regulations to allow the sale in pharmacies of mifepristone, access to which has been strictly regulated since its authorization in 2000 by the American Medicines Agency (FDA).
Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy at the time announced plans to obtain the necessary certification from manufacturers Danco and GenBioPro. Democratic President Joe Biden on Friday welcomed a “important step to ensure access to mifepristone”which can now be obtained in pharmacies, “like any other medicine”. “The stakes couldn’t be higher for America’s women”he added, denouncing the “fierce attacks” Republican elected officials on the subject.
The American Supreme Court must examine at the end of the month the decision, for the moment suspended, of an ultraconservative appeals court which, if confirmed, would notably reduce the number of weeks of pregnancy during which the abortion pill can be taken. is authorized and would prohibit its sending by post.