Costco to halt sale of abortion pill mifepristone at U.S. pharmacies
The decision, first reported by Bloomberg, followed months of pressure from conservative religious groups urging major retailers to avoid selling the drug.
'Our position at this time not to sell mifepristone, which has not changed, is based on the lack of demand from our members and other patients, who we understand generally have the drug dispensed by their medical providers,' Costco said in a statement Thursday.
The company declined to say whether lobbying efforts played a role.
The move was welcomed by the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative legal advocacy group that has long campaigned against the drug's availability.
'We applaud Costco for doing the right thing by its shareholders and resisting activist calls to sell abortion drugs,' said Michael Ross, legal counsel for ADF, in a statement. 'They have nothing to gain and much to lose by becoming abortion dispensaries.'
Mifepristone, approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2000, is the first of two medications used to end a pregnancy within the first 10 weeks. It is now used in more than half of all abortions in the U.S., according to the Guttmacher Institute.
CVS and Walgreens are currently the only national chains certified to dispense mifepristone under FDA guidelines, and only in states where abortion remains legal.
'The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on mifepristone access allows Walgreens to continue to dispense mifepristone under the FDA guidelines,' Walgreens' website states.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Miami Herald
40 minutes ago
- Miami Herald
CVS, Target, Walmart: Which sell Plan B and/or the abortion pill?
Costco Wholesale has decided to not sell the abortion pill mifepristone across all its U.S. pharmacy stores, citing low demand. This isn't a change in policy or Costco (COST) dropping the medicine. It has never sold mifepristone in its warehouse clubs or through its pharmacies. "Our position at this time not to sell mifepristone, which has not changed, is based on the lack of demand from our members and other patients, who we understand generally have the drug dispensed by their medical providers," Costco said. The decision comes amid campaigns against the pill by religious activist groups, including Inspire Investing and Alliance Defending Freedom. Plan B (Levonorgestrel) Purpose: Emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure (e.g., condom break). When used:Before a pregnancy starts, within 72 hours (best within 24 hours) after sex. How it works: Delays or prevents ovulation (egg release). May also prevent fertilization of the egg. Does not terminate an existing pregnancy. If the fertilized egg is already implanted, Plan B has no effect. Type: High-dose progestin (hormone), similar to birth control pill hormones, just in a single larger dose. Availability: Over-the-counter, no prescription, no age limit in the U.S. The Abortion Pill (Mifepristone + Misoprostol) Purpose: To end an existing pregnancy (up to about 10–11 weeks gestation in the U.S.). When used:After pregnancy has been confirmed (positive test or clinical confirmation). How it works:Mifepristone blocks progesterone, a hormone needed to maintain pregnancy. Misoprostol causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy tissue. Type: Two different medications taken in sequence - not the same as hormonal birth control. Availability: Requires a prescription in the U.S. and is regulated under the FDA's Mifepristone REMS Program (dispensed at certified pharmacies, clinics, or by mail in states where legal). CVS: Stocked in most locations, typically in the family planning aisle; billing through insurance is possible, or pay out-of-pocket and claim later. You can also order online for Commonly available either on shelves or behind the counter; curbside and drive-thru pick-up may be offered Target: Carries Plan B both in-store and online, with options for delivery or same-day in-store Available in the family planning or sexual wellness section; online ordering with pickup or delivery options is also grocery and drugstore chains: Many large grocery store pharmacies (Kroger, Albertsons) and drugstore chains carry Plan B over-the-counter near other reproductive health retail pharmacies CVS and Walgreens: These two major chains have obtained FDA certification (through the Mifepristone REMS program) to dispense mifepristone in select locations, specifically in states where such dispensing is legally permitted. The list includes over 20 states such as California, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and others. However, availability varies by location and state-level restrictions Costco has said its decision on the abortion pill is a business one based on demand. The company generally stays out of politics. It has a very clear policy on its website: Costco Wholesale has a long-standing policy against making contributions to any political party or candidate, federal, state or local, in all countries in which we do business. This prohibition covers not only direct contributions, but also support through organizations created under section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code, buying tickets to political fundraising events, or furnishing goods, services, or equipment for political fundraising Company also prohibits contributions for "independent expenditures": communications that expressly advocate the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate that are not made in cooperation, consultation, or concert with, or at the request or suggestion of, a candidate, candidate's authorized committee, or a political party. Related: Costco to keep abortion pill off shelves amid conservative outcry The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Newsweek
No Time for the Doctor? You Can Give Yourself a Flu Vaccine
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. AstraZeneca's FluMist nasal spray, which was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2003, is now available through prescription for at-home use, a statement issued by the company said Friday. Newsweek has reached out to the American Medical Association (AMA) for comment on the vaccine on Saturday. Why It Matters While it's not a new vaccine, FluMist Home nasal spray widens the availability to those who may not previously had access. The at-home option also removes the need for a doctor to administer the vaccine, which public health experts say could increase vaccination uptake by addressing convenience and needle-avoidance barriers. This comes ahead of the 2025-26 influenza season in hopes to prevent the unusually high caseload seen the previous season. What To Know FluMist Home uses the same live attenuated intranasal formulation that is available in clinical settings like doctors' offices. The product is approved for children as young as 2 years old and up to adults aged 49. People who are pregnant, immunocompromised, and minors who take aspirin are advised not to take the vaccine, according to the company. Based on data from October 1, 2024, through May 17, 2025, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that there were up to 82 million flu related cases, 37 million medical visits, 1.3 million hospitalizations and 130,000 deaths across the U.S. during the 2024-25 flu season. The CDC says the best way to prevent the flu is to get a vaccine, however it's not available to everyone. Only 34 states, about 80 percent of the eligible population, have the option for the at-home vaccine, according to AstraZeneca's Friday statement. "There are a number of states where FluMist Home is unavailable due to local pharmacy laws," the statement said. "Our aim is to have this service available in all 48 contiguous states in future seasons." People over the age of 18 can go online, fill out a medical questionnaire and have the vaccine sent to them for self-administration. A sign telling customers that they can get a flu shot in a Walgreens store is seen on September 16, 2014, in Indianapolis. A sign telling customers that they can get a flu shot in a Walgreens store is seen on September 16, 2014, in Indianapolis. AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File What People Are Saying Joris Silon, US Country President and Senior Vice President, AstraZeneca, said in the statement issued Friday: "The launch of FluMist Home is a transformational moment in the evolution of influenza protection, bringing a simple and accessible option directly into the hands of consumers. FluMist Home reflects the growing importance of direct-to-consumer offerings and underscores our commitment to continuous innovation, making it easier for people to get vaccinated and stay protected." Dr. Peter Hotez, co-director of the Center for Vaccine Development at Texas Children's Hospital, told CNN Friday: "We learned during COVID how home diagnostic testing became widely accepted and that turned out to be a great public health intervention. Given the low uptake of seasonal flu vaccine in America, I think it is worth exploring some novel approaches." What Happens Next? It is unclear how many people will order the vaccine, but the outcomes of availability will be monitored by public health officials to see if the number of vaccinated patients, the number of cases, and even deaths change amid the newly available home vaccine. AstraZeneca urges users to report any side effects from taking the FluMist Home.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Businesses in Colchester and Tendring told to improve after poor hygiene ratings
HYGIENE is important to the success of any company that deals with food. Over the last couple of months, there are five businesses in Colchester and Tendring which have received poor ratings after being inspected by the Food Standards Agency (FDA). The FDA inspects a business and then gives it a rating between zero and five, with the latter being the best. The ratings are given on the business's hygiene and safety, structural compliance and confidence in management. The ratings are routinely updated and can change after each inspection. At of time of writing, these are the businesses that have scored the lowest ratings between May to July. Happy House in Colchester Road, St Osyth Rating: two – Improvement necessary Last inspection date: May 16 The British Grenadier in Military Road, Colchester Rating: one – Major improvement necessary Last inspection date: May 22 Golden Wok Chinese Takeaway in Tower Street, Brightlingsea Rating: two – Improvement necessary Last inspection date: June 13 Royal Gurkha lounge in Magdalen Street, Colchester Rating: two – Improvement necessary Last inspection date: June 18 Bodrum Grill in Crouch Street, Colchester Rating: zero – Urgent improvement necessary Last inspection date: July 3
