“Your customers are counting on you to serve them”:

Reproaction Co-Founder, President and CEO Erin Matson has sent letters to the CEOs of Costco, Kroger, and Walmart urging them to become certified pharmacy distributors of mifepristone.

“The current need for accessible abortion is more pressing than ever, and I strongly urge you to take the necessary actions to provide this medication in your pharmacies,” the letter reads.

While other major retailers fill mifepristone prescriptions, Costco, Kroger, and Walmart have not taken the steps to ensure this crucial medication is available to their customers.

A group of anti-abortion investors have pressured the companies to avoid selling mifepristone in their pharmacies. [1] The coalition behind the letter owns $172 million in shares across the five companies.

“I am aware [anti-abortion groups] are attempting to pressure your pharmacies to withhold this critical medication. It is important to recognize that their voices represent a vanishing, extreme minority. The overwhelming majority of Americans support access to abortion in all or most cases, and all Americans deserve equitable access to the health care they need.”

Mifepristone received FDA approval in 2000 and has a stellar safety record both in the United States and all over the world. [2] Medication abortions accounted for 63 percent of all abortions in the U.S. in 2023, up from 53 percent in 2020 and 39 percent in 2017. [3] With medication abortions representing a growing share of abortion care, mifepristone is more essential than ever.

“Your customers are counting on you to serve them,” the letter continues. “We request that you make the right decision to support their health care needs.”

Sources

• https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-08-06/walmart-costco-pressured-by-investor-group-over-abortion-pills
• https://www.cnn.com/health/abortion-pill-safety-dg/index.html
• https://www.guttmacher.org/2024/03/medication-abortion-accounted-63-all-us-abortions-2023-increase-53-2020

###

Reproaction leads bold action to increase access to abortion and advance reproductive justice. Please send all media inquiries and interview requests to press@reproaction.org.