Pharmacies can now apply for certification to fill mifepristone prescriptions, which is a drug used for medication abortion (an abortion with pills). That means some drug stores will soon be able to fill prescriptions for the abortion pill in states where abortion is legal.
The “abortion pill” is the common name for using two medicines to end a pregnancy: mifepristone and misoprostol. It’s also called medication abortion.
In the past, the requirements around mifepristone meant patients not only had to get a prescription for abortion pills from an abortion provider, but also had to get the first pill — mifepristone — at their provider’s office.
Now, people in states where abortion is legal may be able to fill their abortion pill prescriptions at their qualified corner drug store or through a mail-order pharmacy, similar to any other medicine. The best part: In many states, you’ll be able to take both mifepristone and misoprostol in private. And you can be in touch with a nurse or doctor throughout the process.
Depending on the state you live in, you may be able to have a video or phone visit with a doctor or nurse for the prescription and then have the abortion pills mailed to you, or pick them up at a local pharmacy. And you can use the abortion pill up to 77 days (11 weeks) after the first day of your last period.
But the abortion pill still isn’t accessible for everyone:
- If abortion is illegal in your state, your local pharmacies can’t fill a prescription for the abortion pill.
- Certain pharmacies may decide not to carry mifepristone.
Visit abortionfinder.org to find out where you can access abortion, including prescriptions for the abortion pill. If you have questions about the abortion pill, you can chat with one of our live health educators — it’s totally free and confidential.
Tags: abortion pill, non-surgical abortion, FDA, medication abortion, REMS, at-home abortion, mifepristone, misoprostol