On abortion drug policy, the governor and attorney general of New York have pressed pharmacy chains.
New York lead representative, principal legal officer press drug store chains on early termination drug strategy
Kathy Hochul and state Principal legal officer
Tish James are squeezing three of the country’s biggest drug store chains to administer early termination meds in New York and across the U.S., after Walgreens said it would quit offering the medications in states where conservative lawyers general have compromised legitimate activity.
Hochul and James requested in a letter on Thursday that the chief executive officers of CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid confirm in writing that the chains will supply the abortion drug mifepristone to patients in the state who have a prescription from a doctor through the mail and at their New York pharmacies. Hochul and James wrote, “Even as access to this medication is threatened elsewhere for political reasons, we remind you that New York’s law is simple.” In accordance with state law, abortion is legal and protected as a fundamental right, and mifepristone dispensing is legal in New York pharmacies.
The second-largest pharmacy chain in the country and owner of Duane Reade, based in New York, Walgreens, confirmed last week that it would not provide abortion pills via mail or in physical stores in several states where they are legal.
In a letter to pharmacy executives, Hochul and James wrote, “We urge you not to allow these tactics to intimidate you, and to commit to making this critical medication available as widely as possible, based on a fair and unbiased interpretation of state and federal law.” The company made the decision after nearly two dozen Republican state attorneys general threatened legal action if it began distributing the drugs, which have become the most popular method of ending a pregnancy in the United States.
In response to Walgreens’ decision, California Gov.
Gavin Newsom said on Wednesday that the state would not renew a $54 million contract with the company. The contract under which Walgreens provides California inmates with medication was set to be renewed on May 1.
A review of the state comptroller’s office’s records reveals that the state of New York does not appear to have any current contracts with Walgreens.
Following the release of new data on the drugs’ safety and efficacy, the FDA announced in January that it would allow retail pharmacies to dispense the abortion pill mifepristone to pregnant women with a prescription. Prior to that, patients had to get the medication from a doctor on their own.
The new policy requires pharmacies to obtain certification before they can sell the medication. Although the company declined to name any states, Walgreens has stated that it is working toward certification in other states but is not yet distributing the pills there.
