CVS and Walgreens to start dispensing the abortion pill mifepristone

CVS and Walgreens announced on Friday that they will soon start dispensing mifepristone, one of the two drugs used for medication abortions, in states where abortion is allowed.

The two large pharmacy chains said they had received certification to dispense mifepristone, following a rule change the Food and Drug Administration finalized in January 2023.

The FDA decision broadened the availability of abortion pills by allowing pharmacies to dispense them to patients in person or or by mail, though neither CVS nor Walgreens are sending the medication by mail yet. Previously, patients were required to pick up the medication in person at a clinic, medical office or hospital.

Mifepristone is the first of two pills used in medication abortions. The second is misoprostol.

The FDA policy still requires pharmacies to meet certain requirements and complete a set of forms to get certified to sell mifepristone — that's the process CVS and Walgreens have completed.

Walgreens said it will begin dispensing mifepristone pills within a week — consistent with state laws — in select locations in California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania.

“We are beginning a phased rollout in select locations to allow us to ensure quality, safety, and privacy for our patients, providers, and team members,” Walgreens said in a statement.

CVS said it is “working with manufacturers and suppliers to secure the medication and are not yet dispensing it” in any of their pharmacies.

The statement added that pharmacies will begin to fill prescriptions in Massachusetts and Rhode Island in the “weeks ahead,” then “will expand to additional states, where allowed by law, on a rolling basis.”

CVS and Walgreens said mifepristone will be only