Senate Democrats urge Walmart, Costco, Albertsons and Kroger to sell abortion pills mifepristone

MY NUMBER 1 RECOMMENDATION TO LOSE WEIGHT: CLICK HERE

In this 2018 photo, mifepristone and misoprostol pills are available at the Carafem medical abortion clinic in Skokie, Illinois.

Erin Hooley | News Tribune | Getty Images

Senate Democrats urged Walmart, Costco, The Albertsons and Kroger sell prescription abortion pills mifepristone and clearly tell customers how to get them from their pharmacies.

The companies have not yet said publicly whether they plan to sell mifepristone in their pharmacies. In January, the Food and Drug Administration allowed retail pharmacies to sell abortion pills if they become certified under a federal program that monitors how the drugs are dispensed.

The 17 senators told Walmart CEO Doug McMillon, Costco CEO Craig Jelinek, Albertsons CEO Vivek Sankaran and Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen that they were disappointed the companies had yet to publicly say whether they would sell mifepristone. In the letters, dated Monday and made public on Tuesday, they asked the CEOs to respond by March 21 on whether they plan to obtain FDA approval to release the drug.

Strong access

“We urge you to pursue policies that provide the strongest access to the full range of essential health care they need, including mifepristone, and to clearly communicate to your clients how they can access that care,” the senators wrote to the CEOs. The group of lawmakers was led by Senators Patty Murray of Washington and Debbie Stabenow of Michigan.

The abortion pill has become a focal point in the legal battle over abortion access since the Supreme Court’s decision last June to overturn Roe v. Wade. Major US retailers have been thrust into the center of deep national controversy over abortion as they weigh whether to sell mifepristone.

CNBC Health & Science

Read CNBC’s latest global health coverage:

Twelve states have banned abortion, and several others have tighter restrictions on mifepristone than federal regulations, creating a patchwork legal landscape where pro- and anti-abortion advocates battle over whether the FDA or state law rules.

Mifepristone, used in combination with another drug called misoprostol, is the most common way to terminate a pregnancy in the US, accounting for about half of all abortions.

Walgreens under fire

Walgreens, CVS and Rite Aid said in January that they intend to get FDA certified to sell mifepristone in countries where it is legal. Republican attorneys general in 21 states warned Walgreens and CVS in early February not to send mifepristone to their countries.

Walgreens has come under fire after telling Republican attorneys general that it will not sell mifepristone in their states. The pharmacy’s response sparked controversy because the company also does not sell the drug in states like Kansas, where abortion is protected by the state constitution. A state court in November blocked a law that required patients to take mifepristone in the same room as a doctor.

Join CNBC’s Healthy Returns on March 29 as we convene a virtual meeting of healthcare CEOs, scientists, investors and innovators to reflect on today’s progress in reinventing the future of medicine. Plus, we’ll have an exclusive look at the best investment opportunities in biopharma, health technology and managed care. Learn more and register today:

Senators accused Walgreens CEO Roz Brewer of bowing to pressure from the attorney general and accused the company of causing confusion by not selling mifepristone in some states where abortion is still legal.

“While we are well aware of the threatening letters you have received regarding the distribution of mifepristone in some countries, the response to these pressures has been unacceptable and appears to have caved in to these threats – neglecting the critical need to ensure that patients can get this essential health care wherever possible,” the senators wrote.

The senators also urged CVS Health CEO Karen Lynch and Rite Aid CEO Elizabeth Burr not to follow Walgreens’ lead, urging them to “fully evaluate the laws in each state and ensure that your policies provide the strongest legal access to this basic health care.”

California terminates the contract

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said last week that the state government would no longer do business with Walgreens because of its stance on mifepristone. The state has canceled the renewal of a $54 million contract for specialty prescription drugs, mostly used in the state prison system.

Walgreens spokesman Fraser Engerman said the company is deeply disappointed by Newsom’s decision and plans to sell mifepristone where it is legal, including California.

“Walgreens is facing the same circumstances as all retail pharmacies, and no other retail pharmacy has stated that they would handle this situation differently, so it’s unclear where this contract would go now,” Engerman said.

.

MY NUMBER 1 RECOMMENDATION TO LOSE WEIGHT: CLICK HERE

Source

Leave a Comment

error: Content is protected !!