Walgreens Refuses To Sell Abortion Pills in 21 States, Sparking Backlash and Boycott
Will you stand up for abortion rights and boycott Walgreens?
Updated March 13, 2023
- Walgreens has been attempting to do damage control after its decision not to sell the abortion pill in 21 states (including four states where the pill remains legal), which prompted activists and politicians like California Gov. Gavin Newsom to call for a national boycott of the pharmacy.
- On Monday, Walgreens tweeted:
“We want to be very clear about what our position has always been. Walgreens plans to dispense Mifepristone in any jurisdiction where it is legally permissible to do so.”
- The hashtag #boycottwalgreens is trending on Twitter and TikTok and is drawing in activists on both sides of the abortion debate.
- Anti-abortion demonstrators are also unhappy with the pharmacy, arguing that its decision to keep dispensing the abortion pill in 29 states is akin to it being an abortion provider. The anti-abortion activists interrupted Walgreens' annual shareholder meeting.
- Walgreens said it would not sell abortion drugs in Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, and Montana — states where abortion remains legal — but has not provided a reason. CVS and Rite Aid, on the other hand, have not made any specific announcements.
- California is boycotting Walgreens, ending its $54 million contract that enabled the pharmacy to supply prescription drugs for the California Department of General Services (DGS). The contract will end on May 1, 2023.
- Filmmaker Michael Moore said:
"Please join with me and others in a NATIONWIDE BOYCOTT OF WALGREENS. They must reverse their decision immediately. They must acknowledge that nearly 70% of all Americans believe this legal prescription be made easily available to all women — and that the vast majority of Americans still support Roe v Wade."
- Ultraviolet, a non-profit women's advocacy group, created a petition calling on U.S. pharmacies to provide the abortion pill, and it has been signed by 70,000 people. UltraViolet co-founder Shaunna Thomas said:
"Now it's time for major pharmaceutical providers - like Walgreens - to put their ethical obligations above those of a radical political fringe by declaring their promise to provide patients with access to these medications."
"This willful corporate choice will prevent so many women from choosing the healthcare they need and have a legal right to."
What's the story?
- Walgreens is facing backlash for its decision not to sell the abortion pill, mifepristone, after lawmakers in twenty states threatened the drugstore giant with legal consequences if they sell or ship the drug to residents.
FDA increases access
- Since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved mifepristone in 2000, it has been used in over half of U.S. abortions rather than surgical procedures.
- In 2021, the FDA removed the in-person requirement for obtaining the pill, allowing women to access a prescription via telehealth appointments.
- In Jan. 2023, the FDA finalized a new rule that eased restrictions and allowed pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS to dispense the drug after undergoing certification.
States decrease access
- Following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn federal rights to abortion, individual states have now put laws in place restricting both surgical abortions and access to abortion pills.
- Last month, the attorneys general of 20 Republican-led states sent a letter to Walgreens and CVS, threatening the companies with legal repercussions if they moved forward with their decision to supply abortion pills to residents of the respective states.
The company's response
- In response, Walgreens confirmed that it would not sell mifepristone in the states where abortion pills are banned, nor will it ship to stores or clients in these states.
- Walgreens sent a letter to all of the attorneys general, saying:
"Walgreens does not intend to dispense Mifepristone within your state."
- Walgreens is participating in the FDA certification process and plans to dispense pills in states where they remain legal.
Backlash
- California's Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom has vowed to make his state a safe haven for those seeking abortions. He tweeted:
“California won’t be doing business with Walgreens or any company that cowers to extremists and puts women’s lives at risk.”
- Abortion remains legal in some states where Walgreens will not sell mifepristone, including Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, and Montana.
- Abortion rights activists point to this as an example of how challenging it can be for women to access abortion services, even in states where it remains legal.
Will you stand up for abortion rights and boycott Walgreens?
—Emma Kansiz
(Photo Credit: iStock/JHVEPhoto)
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Wish I could say I'd stop using Walgreens but I've never used them as a pharmacy cause I've never liked them.
Hoping those affected where it's causing harm sue Wahlgreens especially in states where it's legal both state attorney generals, and patient class action lawsuits for denying medical care. Flood the court system just like the alt-right, Federalists causes do!
They wont stop this nonsense till it hurts their bottom line!
My governor just had the state back out of, I believe they said, a $54M contract with Walgreens because of this.
This is not an abortion issue. You can't legally force companies to sell your favorite soft drink or beard oil...or abortion pill. Go to CVS or one of a dozen other places to get it.
As for boycotting, that's certainly a legitimate action. Not that matters, but I've been boycotting Starbucks ever since they stated they would help pay for employees to travel to states to have abortions performed.
I am sick to death of the GOP screaming about nonsense! Life doesn't begin until birth(according to The Bible) so their 'deeply held religous beleifs do NOT stand up!
No one has the right to tell any woman what to do with her own body.
Period.
They use their supposed Faith as a screen to their Theocratic control when most of them would be put to death under Biblical Law, anyway!
I have already transferred my prescriptions and will never shop and aWalgreens again.
I understand pharmacies have to follow the law as implemented in their country, state, and city -- I do not blame Walgreens for trying to stay out of the politics on this. We DO need a clear direction that states cannot regulate interstate commerce, just as the Constitution says.
Wish Pennsylvania would boycott Walgreens.
Prescription medications are between doctor and patient. Next you will be wanting to attend my doctor visits to decide if the doctor can prescribe my medications or procedures! Republicans please stay out of our personal lives!
I believe this is a woman's choice, but I'm not going to boycott Walgreens.
This is completely unacceptable. Women will die because of this decision. Children will be hurt because of this decision. The only people who benefit from this are extremists who believe women have no value outside of having babies.
Not just yes but HELL YES! I may never shop there again but we'll see how this plays out! Me thinks they screwed up big time with this boneheaded decision! Hell hath no fury...
I will support a ban on Walgreens if they ban selling of abortion pills.
I don't usually boycott things, but this is one where I will.
Absolutely YES!
I just switched mypharmacy to Walgreen's, and then they did this. If a pharmacy cannot support women's access to health, I cannot trust them to watch out for my health. I'll be seing how other pharmacies are handling this issue and moving on.
Reproductive health is a serious matter, one which Ohio's current anti-abortion laws don't recognize. The current laws endanger the health of pregnant people who experience medical issues, not just people who struggle with the economic and social ramifications of unwanted pregnancies.
Please work to reverse Ohio's antiquated and cruel health care laws related to pregnancy, including access to important medications related to abortion and miscarriage treatment.
I am boycotting Walgreens, for sure.
I have been getting my mail-order prescription meds through Walgreens. No longer! I am switching to a locally-based pharmacy in town, and I will be checking with them on whether they are participating in politically-driven decisions.
I am interested in who made this singular decision for a publicly held company. Was it their Swiss joint holding Boot?
The few are dictating policy for the many who are too lazy to vote. We as a people need to stand up and tell our politicians what we as the majority want from them.
They ALL need to retire from politics at 70.
They should all be insured under medicare only unless they wish to pay their own bills.
We gave these benefits to the politicians at a time when it was needed it has not been so for many years. Why are many politicians so wealthy when they leave politics?
I support the decision made by Walgreens to recognize state laws by not selling abortion pills in said states. The federal government should not be promoting abortion by mail. Nor should tax dollars be used to end the lives of these innocent children. Abortion means someone dies.
I will definitely boycott Walgreens. Basically they are cowering from threats of lawsuits from extremist anti-abortion forces and putting their potential profits ahead of the health and well being of their customers. As a pharmacy, they have a responsibility to carry FDA approved medicines that their customers may need. Bowing to the intimidation of anti abortion extremists just encourages continued intimidation. It's about time to let the politicians, the anti abortion forces and Walgreens know they need to beware the financial and political power of women and the men who respect and love them. A boycott sends the right message.
This is a difficult political decision because it is illegal in two of those states (Alaska and Kansas) to provide abortion medication outside a doctor's office. And there are other complicating factors in Iowa and one other state.
The federal rulings allowing sales of the medication by mail would not protect them in that situation.
.
YES I WILL BOYCOTT WALGREENS as they are caving into demands of a few and not Providing medicines and needed Services to the General Public.
Oxymoron or just moron, so much for the sanctity of life? It's All in the name of God. I am not sure what God? It's not mine!
We don't go there anyway. Prefer CVS.
I am already boycotting Walgreens. I will boycott companies when/if I learn that they are denying full citizenship and autonomy to women.
It won't be hard for me to boycott Walgreens. There is only one in my town, and I never shop there. But I will refuse to buy anything there for any of my older friends for whom I sometimes shop, and have purchased items/picked up prescriptions.