15 states slam NYC for bullying retailers to sell abortion pill
Financial officials from 15 states published a letter Monday slamming New York City for bullying pharmacies into dispensing the abortion pill mifepristone.
In July, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander sent letters to Costco, Walmart, Albertsons, McKesson, and Kroger, warning them that he expects them to start stocking the pill.
Until last year, an in-person dispensing rule from the FDA meant pharmacies could not sell mifepristone. Women who wanted a chemical abortion could only obtain the pill in clinics, hopsitals, and medical offices. When the FDA removed the requirement, the agency was met with legal challenges that were ultimately struck down in June by the US Supreme Court, which sided with the FDA. Walgreens and CVS have since promised to dispense the drug in their pharmacies, but other major chains are holding off.
In his letter to the retail giants, Lander threatened to withdraw New York City pension fund investments. The pension funds, which hold over $270 billion in assets, currently own over $1.32 billion in shares among the five retailers.
“By failing to become certified mifepristone dispensers, these pharmacy giants put both women’s reproductive health care and investors money at risk,” Lander said in a press release.
“The boards of Costco, Walmart, Kroger, Albertsons, and McKesson should follow CVS and Walgreens and immediately take the necessary steps to receive certification to dispense the medication mifepristone in states where it is legal. Making mifepristone available benefits customers and employees, increases sales, and generates long-term shareholder value.”
Comptrollers hit back
On Monday, the comptrollers of 15 states sent their own letter to Costco CEO Ron Vachris in which they condemned Lander for politicizing the company’s business. According to the New York Post, the comptrollers noted Costco’s own admission that there is little demand for the drug.
“The Comptroller’s actions are clear attempts to politicize Costco’s business without regard for the company’s financial wellbeing,” they wrote.
“This radical position ignores all of the business decisions that go into whether to sell a particular product— decisions that should be made by Costco’s leadership based on how it will serve their customers.”
The officials urged Costco to ignore Lander’s threats.
“We find these actions to be inappropriate,” they said. “They are an attempt to launder political views through the commercial marketplace with little regard for the companies or their shareholders.”
The letter was signed by the comptrollers of Alaska, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Indiana, and Wyoming.
