This Friday Walgreens and CVS, two major drug store chains, announced they are now certified to dispense mifepristone, an abortion medication. Both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris praised the decision.
Mifepristone has been declared safe and effective by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It works by blocking progesterone, a hormone needed for pregnancy to continue.
This summer, the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to review cases regarding the medication. An expert told Audacy last month that research shows the drug is safe, and that it is safe to prescribe it via telehealth.
“Today is an important milestone in ensuring access to mifepristone, a drug that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as safe and effective for more than 20 years,” said Biden in a Friday statement. “With major retail pharmacy chains newly certified to dispense medication abortion, many women will soon have the option to pick up their prescription at a local, certified pharmacy – just as they would for any other medication. I encourage all pharmacies that want to pursue this option to seek certification.”
He also said that Republican elected officials continue to attack reproductive freedom in the U.S. Since the controversial Dobbs v. Jackson ruling by the conservative-leaning U.S. Supreme court, access to abortion-related services has become more restrictive in some parts of the country. Audacy covered some of the latest reproductive battles in the nation this weekend.
“The President and I stand with the majority of Americans who believe women should have the freedom to make decisions about their own body and their own lives,” said Harris. “We remain committed to defending access to reproductive health care, including medication abortion. Our Administration will not waver in our dedication to preserving access to essential medication and defending the FDA’s independent, evidence-based approval and regulation of safe and effective drugs.”