Costco Resists Providing Abortion Pill due to Conservative Advocacy Efforts
In the ongoing debate surrounding abortion rights, two major pharmacy chains, Walgreens and CVS, have stood firm in their decision to continue dispensing mifepristone, the abortion pill, in states where it is legal. This stance contrasts sharply with Costco's decision to stop stocking the medication at its pharmacies, effective from August 2025.
The move by Costco, a retail giant with over 500 pharmacy locations, has sparked a wave of criticism from advocacy groups and politicians. They argue that Costco has given in to "far-right extremists" and prioritized politics over science and patient care. On the other hand, conservative groups such as the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) are actively engaging with pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS, encouraging them to cease dispensing mifepristone.
The ADF, a Christian legal organization, has expressed hope that Costco's decision might set a trend for other retailers to follow. However, Walgreens and CVS, with their much larger pharmacy footprints, have so far resisted the pressure. Walgreens remains authorized by FDA guidelines and the U.S. Supreme Court ruling to continue dispensing mifepristone, and CVS is part of ongoing corporate discussions regarding the issue.
The safety of mifepristone is not in question, with its safety record surpassing both penicillin and Viagra. Medication abortion, which accounts for nearly two-thirds of pregnancy terminations in the U.S., has proven to be safe and effective, even when dispensed via telehealth.
The decision by Costco has raised concerns about the future accessibility of the abortion pill. Advocacy leaders emphasize that expanding the number of ways patients can get mifepristone is critical to protecting access to care. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) has expressed her disappointment at Costco's capitulation to the far right's intimidation regarding mifepristone distribution.
Conservative activist groups are now setting their sights on more pharmacies, viewing Costco's announcement as a significant win. The ADF has announced that it will now focus on getting mifepristone out of Walgreens and CVS, which both announced last year they were dispensing the medication at their pharmacies in most states where abortion remains legal.
The coalition's letter to Costco stated that dispensing mifepristone is filled with legal and political risk and will inject Costco into the middle of an intense political battle at great expense to its reputation. They also argued that contributing to abortion access was bad for the company's bottom line because it stands to make more money from bigger families.
However, Kiki Freedmand, the co-founder and CEO of abortion pill provider Hey Jane, emphasizes the safety of mifepristone and views Costco's decision as an alarming step in the wrong direction. She stresses the importance of protecting access to care and expanding the number of ways patients can get mifepristone.
In this evolving landscape, the issue of mifepristone dispensing is becoming a new battleground for abortion pill access, signalling a shift from courtrooms to corporate boardrooms.
[1] Source: The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR [2] Source: FDA Guidelines, U.S. Supreme Court Ruling [3] Source: Alliance Defending Freedom's Letter to Costco [4] Source: Costco's Announcement Regarding Mifepristone Dispensing
