Name: Costco Halts Sale of Abortion Medication at US Pharmacies Amid Religious Group Pressure
Uploaded: 2025-08-15T11:59:16.000Z
Description: The warehouse retailer cited insufficient customer demand as the primary reason for the decision.

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Costco Wholesale announced Thursday it will discontinue the sale of the abortion medication mifepristone across its entire network of more than 500 U.S. pharmacy locations, a decision that comes following sustained pressure from religious activist organizations.

The warehouse retailer cited insufficient customer demand as the primary reason for the decision.

In a statement, Costco said: "Our position at this time not to sell mifepristone, which has not changed, is based on the lack of demand from our members and other patients, who we understand generally have the drug dispensed by their medical providers."

The company noted that its stance on the medication remains unchanged throughout the ongoing debate.

Students for Life America <a href="https://studentsforlife.org/2025/08/14/costco-will-not-dispense-chemical-abortion-pills-at-u-s-pharmacies-a-major-win-for-life/">described</a> the outcome as "a stunning win for Life," noting their organization had been actively pressuring the retailer through their "Halt Pharmacy Abortions" campaign launched in 2023.

According to <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-14/costco-won-t-sell-abortion-pill-as-religious-investors-focus-on-cvs-walgreens">Bloomberg</a>, which broke the news, the coalition of religious activist groups included Inspire Investing and Alliance Defending Freedom. These organizations had specifically targeted major retailers, including Costco, Kroger, Walmart, and Albertson's, in their efforts to prevent mifepristone distribution.

The campaign initially focused on these retailers before shifting attention to Walgreens and CVS Health, which continue to dispense the medication in states where abortion remains legal.

Students for Life America acknowledged that while Costco maintains its decision was not based on external pressure, the organization commended "the pro-life movement for speaking sense into Costco Wholesale, resulting in saving the lives of the preborn and women." The group expressed hope that additional companies would follow similar policies.

Industry analysts suggest Costco's decision reflects broader corporate hesitation to engage with politically divisive issues. Arun Sundaram, senior analyst at CFRA, explained: "Many retailers have become more cautious about taking overt political or social stances after recent controversies triggered boycotts, negative media coverage, and polarized consumer reactions."

The decision places Costco in contrast with competitors who have taken different approaches to mifepristone distribution.

Walgreens' website states: "The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on mifepristone access allows Walgreens to continue to dispense mifepristone under the FDA guidelines."

Kroger indicated it is currently reviewing the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) updated mifepristone Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy drug safety program, while CVS confirmed it fills "prescriptions for mifepristone in select states where legally permissible."

Walmart did not respond to a request for comment from NTD on the matter.

The medication at the center of the controversy was approved by the FDA in 2000 for terminating pregnancies within 10 weeks of gestation when used in combination with misoprostol.

Mifepristone works by blocking progesterone, the hormone essential for maintaining the uterine lining during pregnancy, while misoprostol is taken subsequently to complete the abortion process.

The drug's availability has faced ongoing legal challenges and regulatory changes in recent years, particularly following shifts in federal and state abortion laws. This has placed increased focus on where and how patients can access the medication through retail pharmacy channels.

<em>Reuters contributed to this article.</em>

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