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FDA policy change opens the door for abortion pill in Illinois pharmacies

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* New York Times

For the first time, retail pharmacies, from corner drugstores to major chains like CVS and Walgreens, will be allowed to offer abortion pills in the United States under a regulatory change made Tuesday by the Food and Drug Administration. The action could significantly expand access to abortion through medication.

Until now, mifepristone — the first pill used in the two-drug medication abortion regimen — could be dispensed only by a few mail-order pharmacies or by specially certified doctors or clinics. Under the new F.D.A. rules, patients will still need a prescription from a certified health care provider, but any pharmacy that agrees to accept those prescriptions and abide by certain other criteria can dispense the pills in its stores and by mail order.

* Patch

The Food and Drug Administration just broadened access to abortion pills, but a patchwork of state laws after Roe v. Wade was overturned could limit its availability to some women.

A limited availability of the medication isn’t an issue in Illinois, however, where abortion remains legal even after Roe v. Wade was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court last summer. Illinois lawmakers – including Gov. J.B. Pritzker have vowed to protect reproductive rights for women intact. In 2019, state lawmakers enacted abortion rights legislation and the Illinois State Supreme Court recognized a woman’s right to have an abortion as a constitutional right under state guidelines. […]

Planned Parenthood of Illinois began offering the abortion pill by mail last May, which means women can now access the care they need. The Planned Parenthood of Illinois website says that the abortion pill is a safe and effective way of ending an early pregnancy up to 10 weeks.

To qualify for the abortion pill-by-mail, patients must be 10 weeks pregnant or less. Patients must also have an Illinois address and be physically in Illinois at the time of their telehealth appointment.

* Crain’s

CVS Health and Walgreens are determining how to navigate the FDA’s rule change.

“We’re reviewing the FDA’s updated Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) drug safety program for mifepristone to determine the requirements to dispense in states that do not restrict the dispensing of medications prescribed for elective termination of pregnancy,” a CVS spokesperson said.

Walgreens also emphasized it would align with state and federal laws.

Walmart did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

* Related…

posted by Isabel Miller
Wednesday, Jan 4, 23 @ 2:19 pm

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