Costco won't sell abortion pill mifepristone in US pharmacy stores, citing low demand

Costco said it will not sell the abortion pill mifepristone in its U.S. pharmacy stores, citing low demand.

"Our position at this time not to sell mifepristone, which has not changed, is based on the lack of demand from our members and other patients, who we understand generally have the drug dispensed by their medical providers," Costco said, Reuters reported.

Religious activist groups, such as Inspire Investing and Alliance Defending Freedom, have campaigned against the pill. The groups targeted Costco, Kroger, Walmart, and Albertsons last year, and will now focus on Walgreens and CVS Health, which dispense the pill where it is legal.

"The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on mifepristone access allows Walgreens to continue to dispense mifepristone under the FDA guidelines," Walgreens' website states.

"Many retailers have become more cautious about taking overt political or social stances after recent controversies triggered boycotts, negative media coverage, and polarized consumer reactions," CFRA Research senior analyst Arun Sundaram said.

Kroger said it was reviewing the Food and Drug Administration's updated mifepristone Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) drug safety program. CVS told Reuters that it fills "prescriptions for mifepristone in select states where legally permissible."