Walgreens issues statement on policy regarding abortion pill
Following on the heels of a Politico report on Friday that Walgreens said it would not dispense mifepristone, the first of two drugs in the medication abortion process, in 20 states following a Feb. 1 letter from GOP attorneys general in those states, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker condemned the new policy.
Newsom tweeted, “California won't be doing business with @walgreens -- or any company that cowers to the extremists and puts women's lives at risk. We're done."
Pritzker, who also condemned Walgreens' new policy, plans to meet with Walgreens CEO Roz Brewer about the decision Friday afternoon, according to a 5Chicago report.
[Read more: Major retail pharmacies could soon carry abortion pills]
In response to a reporter's question during a press briefing about Walgreens' policy, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre issued this statement:
“Elected officials targeting pharmacies and their ability to provide women with access to safe effective and FDA approved medication is dangerous and unacceptable. This pill that has been on market for more than two decades and is regularly used for both miscarriage management and abortion, also is used in more than 60 countries. The Department of Justice has already independently issued an opinion related this issue, which is at odds with this dangerous effort. This is all a part of a continued effort by anti-abortion extremists who want to use this arcane law to oppose a back door ban on abortion. The administration will continue to stand by the FDA’s expert judgment in approving and regulating medications and in the face of barriers to access and concerns about safety of patients, healthcare providers and pharmacists will continue to support access to this critical medication within the limits of the law, which is why the President issued his January President memorandum that aims to preserve continued access to a safe drug that and will, is used for miscarriage management and abortion."
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Following reports about its new policy, Walgreens issued a statement today, which said, "We want to be very clear about what our position has always been: Walgreens plans to dispense Mifepristone in any jurisdiction where it is legally permissible to do so. Once we are certified by the FDA, we will dispense this medication consistent with federal and state laws. Providing legally approved medications to patients is what pharmacies do, and is rooted in our commitment to the communities in which we operate."