Senators urge pharmacy chains to ensure abortion pill access

A group of U.S. Senate Democrats sent letters to seven of the country’s largest pharmacy retailers on Monday urging them to ensure access to oral abortion drug mifepristone amid ongoing legal threats in some states.

Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) announced the move on Tuesday, noting that she and Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), with 16 other Democrats sent the letters in the wake of the FDA’s decision to clear restrictions on dispensing mifepristone early this year.

The group urges pharmacy chains to “provide the strongest possible legal access to mifepristone for patients—and communicate clearly about their plans and policies,” Sen. Murray said in a release.

Pharmacy chains in question include Walgreens (NASDAQ:WBA), Albertsons (ACI), Costco (NASDAQ:COST), Kroger (KR), Walmart (NYSE:WMT), CVS Health (NYSE:CVS), and Rite Aid (RAD)

The lawmakers note that Walgreens (WBA), CVS Health (CVS), and Rite Aid (RAD) seek certification to provide the pill even when they are legally allowed. They also point out that Albertsons (ACI), Costco (COST), Kroger (KR), and Walmart (WMT) haven’t announced any plans.

Following legal threats from 20 Republican Attorneys General, “Walgreens caused widespread confusion about its plans by appearing to cave to the threats,” the Senators argued, citing the company’s decision to halt the distribution of mifepristone in several states.

Last week, Walgreens (WBA) shares slipped after California Gov. Gavin Newson said that the state was “done” with the company over the same issue.

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