New reports have revealed that Walgreens, the second-biggest drug store chain in the United States, has said it will no longer distribute abortion pills in certain states.
“This is a significant victory for the pro-life cause and for women’s health,” stated Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach.
“The dispensing of these pills without a supervising physician present would expose women to complications and potentially to coercion as well. I’m grateful Walgreens has responded quickly and reasonably and intends to fully comply with the law,” the statement added.
According to Business Insider, hashtags such as #Walgreens and #BoycottWalgreens were trending on Twitter from Thursday night until Friday.
Prominent figures who have called for a boycott of the large pharmaceutical chain reportedly include Michael Moore and Gavin Newsom.
Moore described Walgreens as a corporation that “stands with anti-abortion extremists against the rights of women” and stated that silence is “enabling this bigotry and misogyny.”
Prominent Figures Michael Moore And Gavin Newsom Promote Walgreens Boycotthttps://t.co/PnYn91Mg4V
📸: Reuters/Shannon Stapleton/Andrew Kelly#OAN #Walgreens #MichaelMoore #GavinNewsom pic.twitter.com/GfdPH1vt9u— One America News (@OANN) March 6, 2023
The Biden administration has expressed disapproval of Walgreens’ decision to no longer sell the abortion-inducing pill, with White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre characterizing the move of elected officials to limit the distribution of such objects as “dangerous and unacceptable.”
This change in policy came after 20 state attorneys general sent a letter on Feb. 1 advising Walgreens Boots Alliance Executive Vice President Danielle Gray that the company would be in violation of federal law as well as many state laws should it not soon change its act.
“Abortion pills are far riskier than surgical abortions, according to established scientific consensus … mail-order abortion pills also invite the horror of an increase in coerced abortions. When abortion drugs are mailed or consumed outside a regulated medical facility, the risk of coercion is much higher—indeed, guaranteed—because there is no oversight,” read part of the letter.
“It is our responsibility as State Attorneys General to uphold the law and protect the health, safety, and well-being of women and unborn children in our states. Part of that responsibility includes ensuring that companies like yours are fully informed of the law so that harm does not come to our citizens,” it concluded.
Walgreens has reportedly informed Politico that it has now promised officials the pills will not be sold via mail or store locations.
