Abortion Pill: Pritzker Urges Walgreens To Reconsider Halting Sales In 20 States

DEERFIELD, IL — Add Gov. J.B. Pritzker to the list of governors unhappy with Walgreens recent announcement it would stop distributing medication for abortions in some states, even those where the procedure remains legal. Following threats from the attorneys general of 20 states where restrictions are currently in place on the sale of abortion pills, the Deerfield-based pharmacy giant said it will not sell abortion pills, specifically mifepristone, in its stores or by mail in those states.

"I've spoken with Walgreens executives and expressed my deep disappointment at their announced policy, and I’ve urged them to rethink this decision that will severely limit access to essential healthcare for thousands of women," Pritzker said Tuesday. "I'm calling on all major pharmacies to resist the political grandstanding of certain state Attorneys General and preserve this right wherever reproductive choice is still allowed — which will always be the case in Illinois while I am Governor."

The move by Walgreens comes just two months after the company announced its plans to become the first major U.S. pharmacy to sell mifepristone.

RELATED: Walgreens Will Not Sell Abortion Pill By Mail In 20 States

Last week, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state will no longer be doing business with Walgreens. A multi-million renewal contract between the state and Walgreens may not move forward with Newsom saying California "won't be doing business with Walgreens or any company that cowers to the extremists and puts women's lives at risk."

Pritzker joined Newsom and 13 other governors in penning a letter to executives at CVS, Walmart, Rite-Aid, Safeway, Health Mart, Kroger, Costco and Target regarding the sale of mifepristone. The governors of Illinois, California, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Wisconsin and Washington are members of the Reproductive Freedom Alliance, a nonpartisan coalition of governors invested in protecting reproductive health care.

"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," Walgreens said in a statement on March 6. "Once we are certified by the FDA, we will dispense this medication consistent with federal and state laws. Providing legally approved medications to patients is what pharmacies do, and is rooted in our commitment to the communities in which we operate."

A letter, penned by Republican Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey in February, was sent to Walgreens and several other major U.S. pharmacies intending to sell mifepristone. The letter warns that the sale of abortion pills would violate federal law and abortion laws in many states. It was co-signed by attorneys general in 20 states.

"I can confirm we have responded to the state attorneys general letter to Walgreens dated Feb. 1 by indicating we will not dispense Mifepristone in their respective states," Marty Maloney, senior manager of media relations for Walgreens' parent company Walgreens Boots Alliance, told Patch earlier this month. "We are not distributing Mifepristone at this time. We intend to be a certified pharmacy and will distribute Mifepristone only in those jurisdictions where it is legal and operationally feasible."

Mifepristone was approved by the FDA in 2000 and an emergency rule made it available by mail order in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The emergency rule change was made permanent in December 0f 2021.

According to the Mayo Clinic, mifepristone is used along with misoprostol to end a pregnancy that is less than 70 days in duration. To qualify for the abortion pill by mail, patients must be 10 weeks pregnant or less.

In January, the FDA finalized a rule change that makes abortion pills available to more pharmacies if they complete a certification process.

RELATED:

• California Gov Hints State Will Sever Ties With IL-Based Walgreens
• Illinois AG Raoul, Others Sue FDA Over Safety Of Abortion Medication
• FDA Makes It Easier To Get Abortion Pills, Including In Illinois