The Washington Examiner has reported that Costco will not sell the abortion pill mifepristone at more than 500 of its pharmacies following pressure from Republican groups. Findings from pro-life organizations have intensified calls for a federal safety review.
According to The Washington Examiner, Costco confirmed it would not distribute mifepristone in its over 500 pharmacy locations nationwide. The decision followed a targeted pressure campaign from pro-life groups, who argue that the drug is unsafe for women and should not be offered by large retail chains. While pro-life activists view the move as a victory, they describe it as incomplete because the drug remains available through other providers.
The Ethics and Public Policy Center (EPPC) reported that its analysis of insurance data found the serious adverse event rate for mifepristone is nearly 11 percent, which is 22 times higher than the rate acknowledged by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). EPPC’s study highlighted complications such as hemorrhage, sepsis, and hospitalization, suggesting that official federal figures significantly underestimate the drug’s risks. These findings were supported by similar research conducted by the Foundation for the Restoration of America, further fueling calls for a reassessment of federal policy.
According to FDA data, there have been 151 reported deaths associated with the use of mifepristone since its approval in 2000. While the FDA continues to classify the drug as safe when used under prescribed conditions, it acknowledges these fatal cases in its post-market surveillance summaries. Critics point to this figure as evidence that the government is not being transparent about the true scale of risks tied to chemical abortions.
As reported by The Washington Post, chemical abortions using mifepristone and misoprostol now account for 63 percent of all U.S. abortions, a significant increase from just 31 percent in 2014. This shift coincided with regulatory changes, including FDA’s decision during the COVID-19 pandemic to allow abortion pills to be prescribed via telemedicine and shipped by mail. Supporters of reinstating in-person requirements argue that unsupervised access increases risks for complications such as undiagnosed ectopic pregnancies, while abortion-rights advocates say the change expanded critical access.
According to its official website, The Washington Examiner is a Washington D.C.–based news outlet founded in 2005 that provides daily coverage of politics, policy, and cultural debates. The outlet publishes investigative journalism, commentary, and news reporting with a center-right editorial perspective focusing on issues shaping governance and public policy. Its said mission is to deliver timely and informative content on Congress, the White House, and key national issues for its readership.
