Republican attorneys general from 20 states warned both CVS and Walgreen’s pharmacies not to provide abortion pills through mail-order service (For the full text of these letters and additional context, see: Attorney General Bailey Directs Letter to CVS and Walgreens Over Distribution of Abortion Pills (mo.gov) (accessed February 2023).). In response, Walgreen’s announced that it will cease distribution of the abortion medication mifepristone in 20 Republican-led states where newly enacted laws and pending lawsuits threaten the legality of its distribution. In a statement, Walgreens signaled its intent “to be a certified pharmacy” and to “distribute mifepristone only in those jurisdictions where it is legal and operationally feasible.” (See letter from Walgreens Boots Alliance Executive Director Danielle Gray to OH Attorney General Dave Yost, February 21, 2023: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn%3Aaaid%3Ascds%3AUS%3Ad9a846ec-9eed-4c2c-a8f2-057201025942&viewer%21megaVerb=group-discover (accessed February 2023).)

In response, California’s governor announced that the state is evaluating its ties to Walgreens with the intention of ceasing its relationship considering its decision on mifepristone. In a Tweet, CA Governor Newsom, a Democrat, said, “California won’t be doing business with @walgreens – or any other company that cowers to the extremists and puts women’s lives at risk. We’re done" (https://twitter.com/GavinNewsom/status/1632811406344192000?s=20 (March 6, 2023)). How this plays out remains to be seen, but additional national pharmacy chains, including Rite Aid, have signaled they are closely monitoring developments.