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Costco announced it won't offer the abortion pill mifepristone at any of its 500+ pharmacies across the country, saying there's "a lack of demand" from members and patients.

The wholesaler added that most people typically obtain the medication through their medical providers.

The decision was praised by conservative religious groups, including the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF).

"We applaud Costco for doing the right thing by its shareholders and resisting activist calls to sell abortion drugs," said ADF legal counsel Michael Ross.

"Retailers like Costco have nothing to gain and much to lose by becoming abortion dispensaries."

Mifepristone, approved by the FDA in 2000, is used alongside misoprostol to terminate pregnancies up to 10 weeks, CBS News said.

According to the Guttmacher Institute, the pill makes up more than half of all abortions in the US.

While Costco cited weak customer interest, it did not address whether lobbying from conservative groups influenced its decision.

Last year, a group of religious organizations and state financial officials from Ohio, Texas, Nevada, and Utah reached out to Costco and other retailers, asking them not to stock mifepristone.

CVS and Walgreens Continue Dispensing Mifepristone in States Where Legal

Kroger, Walmart, and Albertsons also received similar requests. Kroger said it has never sold abortion pills and continues to monitor regulations, while Walmart and Albertsons do not stock the medication.

The decision has sparked concern among reproductive rights advocates. According to the NY Post, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander criticized the move, calling it "disappointing and short-sighted."

His office warned that restricting access to this safe, FDA-approved medication could leave customers feeling isolated and damage the company's reputation.

CVS and Walgreens still provide mifepristone in states where abortion is legally permitted, following certification procedures and FDA guidelines.

The companies emphasized their commitment to women's health and access to legal reproductive services. Telehealth providers have also stepped in, delivering mifepristone by mail to states with abortion restrictions.

State-level restrictions and recent legislation have complicated access. According to the Guttmacher Institute, 32 proposals to ban medication abortion and 38 proposals to restrict access were introduced during the 2025 legislative period—the highest since Roe v. Wade was overturned.

Approximately 25% of US abortions now involve pills delivered by mail, up from 5% before 2022.