Costco refuses to sell abortion pill at US pharmacies, citing low demand, amid pressure from religious groups.

Costco has decided not to sell the abortion pill mifepristone at its US pharmacies due to low demand from its members. The move follows pressure from religious activist groups, who have hailed the decision as a "significant win." Costco stated that the decision was based on lack of demand from its members and other patients who generally have the drug dispensed by their medical providers.

Costco Wholesale Corp (COST.O) has announced it will stop selling the abortion pill mifepristone at all its U.S. pharmacy stores, citing low demand from its members. This decision comes amidst ongoing campaigns by religious activist groups, who have celebrated the move as a "significant win." Costco stated that the lack of demand from its members and other patients, who generally have the drug dispensed by their medical providers, was the primary reason for the halt in sales [1].

The move by Costco follows similar actions by other retailers such as Kroger (KR.N), Walmart (WMT.N), and Albertsons (ACI.N) last year, who faced pressure from religious activist groups. These groups have now shifted their focus to Walgreens (WBA.O) and CVS Health (CVS.N), which continue to dispense the pill in states where abortion is legal [2]. The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on mifepristone access allows Walgreens to continue under FDA guidelines, while CVS fills prescriptions in select states where it is legally permissible [1].

Mifepristone, approved by the FDA in 2000, is used in combination with misoprostol to end a pregnancy within 10 weeks of gestation. It blocks progesterone, a hormone that helps maintain the uterine lining during pregnancy. Misoprostol is then taken to complete the abortion process [1].

Danco Laboratories, the manufacturer of the abortion pill regimen, did not respond to a Reuters request for comment, nor did Walmart. Kroger is reviewing the FDA's updated mifepristone Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) drug safety program, while CVS continues to fill prescriptions in select states [1].

References:
[1] https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/costco-stop-selling-abortion-pill-mifepristone-its-us-pharmacy-stores-2025-08-14/
[2] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/costco-not-sell-abortion-pill-114012436.html