In recent months, our medical team at SameDayAbortionPills has noticed a troubling trend. Patients who hold valid prescriptions for mifepristone (Mifeprex) — an FDA-approved medication used safely for decades — are sometimes being refused service at retail pharmacies. While these refusals have happened from time to time in the past, they are becoming more frequent, creating stressful delays and confusion for people seeking timely care.
A Shifting Climate
The U.S. Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade reshaped the political and cultural environment surrounding abortion care. While abortion remains legal and regulated in many states, that decision has emboldened some pharmacists to act on personal beliefs rather than medical guidelines.
Dr. Richard Sanchez, Medical Director at SameDayAbortionPills, explains:
“In this political anti-abortion climate emboldened by the Supreme Court’s decision reversing Roe v. Wade and the Administration’s catering to the religious right, many retail pharmacists are emboldened and refusing to dispense a lawful and clinically appropriate Mifepristone/MifePrex prescription to patients.”
Real-World Impact on Patients
For patients, these refusals are more than a nuisance — they can derail care.
- Delays in treatment may push someone past the gestational limit for medication abortion.
- Stigma at the counter can cause unnecessary stress and fear.
- Access gaps in rural areas mean a refusal at one pharmacy might effectively end a patient’s options nearby.
- Confusion from automated systems (messages like “out of stock” or “contact provider”) often leaves patients unsure whether their prescription is valid.
The result: patients must navigate a maze of obstacles simply to access a medication that is both legal and medically appropriate.
Pharmacy Pick-Up: A Critical Option
SameDayAbortionPills is a national telehealth provider serving patients in 24 states where abortion care remains legal and regulated. Many of our patients prefer the option to pick up their medications at a local certified pharmacy such as CVS, Walgreens, or certain independent pharmacies.
This option matters because:
- Insurance can often cover the cost, reducing out-of-pocket expenses.
- Picking up in person may be more private than home delivery.
- It is usually faster, which is critical for time-sensitive care.
Together with Plan C and other reproductive health partners, we co-created resources to guide prescribers and patients through the pharmacy dispensing system. These tools explain how certified pharmacies work, how to minimize delays, and what to do if a pharmacist refuses service.
What Needs to Change
The refusals patients are experiencing are not based on safety concerns. Both mifepristone and misoprostol are safe, effective, and supported by decades of evidence. Instead, politics and personal beliefs are intruding on healthcare.
Patients deserve respect, privacy, and access to lawful prescriptions. Providers deserve the ability to care for their patients without interference. Pharmacies — especially large national chains — must ensure their staff are trained and that prescriptions are honored consistently.
At SameDayAbortionPills, we will continue to advocate for patients and work with partners to remove barriers. Access to abortion care should not depend on who happens to be behind the counter.