FDA Allows Pharmacies To Dispense Abortion Pills—What Happens Next?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Tuesday approved a rule change allowing retail pharmacies—from major chains to mail-order companies—across the country to offer abortion pills. Until now, abortion pills could only be dispensed by clinics, doctors and a few mail-order pharmacies.

The change is significant: with the new rule, those in need will be able to access mifepristone, the first of two drugs used in medication abortions, at any brick-and-mortar pharmacy willing to go through the special certification process necessary to stock and dispense the drug to pregnant people with a prescription.

The FDA had already extended access to abortion pills in 2021, when it permanently lifted the in-person requirement demanding that patients wishing to terminate their pregnancy obtain a prescription by a health professional in person.