Walgreens Refuses To Sell Abortion Pills in 21 States, Sparking Backlash and Boycott

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."

• Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) said:

"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)