The two largest pharmacy chains in the United States, CVS Health and Walgreens, have announced plans to start dispensing the abortion pill mifepristone in select states within the coming weeks. CVS Health, with nearly 9,400 locations, will begin filling prescriptions for mifepristone in Rhode Island and neighboring Massachusetts, while Walgreens, with over 8,600 pharmacies across the US, will start by offering the medication in New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, California, and Illinois.

The move by CVS and Walgreens comes more than a year after the FDA finalized a rule change that expanded the availability of abortion pills to many more pharmacies, including large chains and mail-order companies. The FDA approved mifepristone in 2000 for terminating pregnancies of up to 10 weeks when used with a second drug, misoprostol. The labeling had previously limited dispensing to specialty offices and clinics due to safety concerns.

Both CVS and Walgreens have received certification to dispense mifepristone under FDA guidelines. CVS will continually monitor changes in state laws and plans to expand to additional states where legally permissible. Walgreens, on the other hand, will not dispense the medication in states where the laws are unclear to protect its pharmacists and staff members.

The availability of mifepristone in retail pharmacies is expected to increase its popularity as an abortion alternative, depending on the outcome of a case the Supreme Court will hear later this month. The pill is typically used in a two-drug regimen, with mifepristone blocking a hormone necessary for pregnancy development and misoprostol causing contractions to expel pregnancy tissue.

As the situation continues to develop, CVS and Walgreens are taking steps to ensure quality, safety, and privacy for patients, providers, and team members. The pharmacy option for obtaining the abortion pill may become more important depending on the outcome of the upcoming Supreme Court case.