Walgreens and CVS have formally acquired FDA certification to meet prescriptions for mifepristone, the primary of two medication wanted for a medicine abortion. Presently, the usage of abortion tablets accounts for greater than half of all abortions in the US.

Having the choice to choose up mifepristone at these main pharmacies “might be a game-changer in post-Roe America, the place 14 states have now banned abortion virtually solely,” Rabia Muqaddam, a senior workers legal professional on the Heart for Reproductive Rights, tells SELF.

Prior to now, individuals who wanted abortion care needed to get mifepristone from sure mail-order pharmacies or licensed clinics, medical workplaces, or hospitals. Nonetheless, the FDA made an enormous regulatory change in January 2023: Pharmacies that comply with comply with sure standards at the moment are allowed to dispense mifepristone in shops and by mail order.

Mifepristone is an oral drug that blocks a hormone referred to as progesterone, which the physique must proceed a being pregnant. It’s normally adopted by misoprostol, a drug that causes the cervix to melt and dilate to assist the physique expel the being pregnant. (Each CVS and Walgreens already dispense misoprostol.)

Abortion care is, sadly, nonetheless a hot-button matter—so this win for reproductive rights is certain to be somewhat sticky at first. Living proof: Licensed medical suppliers will inform their sufferers which Walgreens areas to go to for his or her prescriptions, however this data gained’t be simple to seek out by yourself. “Within the pursuits of pharmacist and affected person security, we won’t disclose the variety of websites per state nor establish the pharmacies which might be dishing out [mifepristone],” Walgreens states on its web site. (It’s unclear whether or not CVS will take the identical strategy.)

There are different restrictions to concentrate on, too. Right here’s what we learn about how this may all shake out, plus what this implies for the way forward for abortion care.

How do you get mifepristone at Walgreens and CVS?

Mifepristone will not be out there over-the-counter, so that you’ll nonetheless have to see a well being care supplier (both in-person or by way of telehealth) to obtain a prescription for the treatment. From there, your physician ought to direct you to a Walgreens or CVS close to you that will provide you with the treatment. (Unsure the place to go for an Rx? Seek for clinics close to you thru Deliberate Parenthood right here.)

Which states will provide mifepristone at Walgreens and CVS—and when will it’s out there?

The FDA’s regulatory change doesn’t override state legal guidelines. So in case your state bans or severely limits abortion care, mifepristone gained’t be out there at your native Walgreens or CVS.

Each firms are engaged on gradual rollouts, so not all eligible pharmacies can be prepared immediately. Actually, CVS isn’t planning to have this service out there wherever for just a few weeks. “We’re working with producers and suppliers to safe the treatment and are usually not but dishing out it in any of our pharmacies,” a CVS spokesperson tells SELF by way of e mail. CVS plans to start out filling mifepristone prescriptions in Massachusetts and Rhode Island in “the weeks forward,” and can then increase to extra states, the place it’s allowed by legislation, on a “rolling foundation.”