Photo Courtesy by Malu Coelho

The recent news that CVS and Walgreens will begin to sell prescribed abortion pills in March, caused many discussions, and some reactions from St. Ambrose University’s students.

Abortion has always been a controversial topic. With the announcement of verified pharmacies offering to sell mifepristone, a drug that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as safe and effective for more than 20 years, many in the St. Ambrose community were satisfied with the news while others did not feel it was the best decision.

SAU senior, Laney Gonzalez, says, “I think that having an abortion pill that is accessible to all people, with a prescription, is a good idea. However, I do think that there is going to be a lot of backlash. It’s like the Plan B pill. The same debate is raised about that pill, some people think it’s bad because it’s a method of contraception, but sometimes accidents happen. Same goes for an abortion pill that people can get at CVS or Walgreens, it just makes it more accessible, and people can have the choice of doing what is best for them.”

One of the main concerns raised after this outcome was that it would increase the number of abortions or would make it “too easy” for women to abort. The reason for that is because people think that after that, women would have free access to it. According to the New York Times, “in the states where the chains will begin dispensing, abortion pills are already available in clinics or easily prescribed through telemedicine and sent through the mail. But some women prefer to visit doctors, many of whom do not have the medication on hand. The new development will allow doctors and other eligible providers to send a prescription to a pharmacy for the patient to pick up.”

Moreover, mifepristone will not be available to every pharmacy. In order to obtain a certification and be able to sell the pills, the pharmacy chain needs to go through specific steps that ensure the privacy of prescribers, who are certified under F.D.A.

According to CNN, “medication abortion is the most common method of abortion in the United States, according to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use up to 10 weeks into pregnancy.”

Alexa Avalos, sophomore at SAU, says, “I believe it is going to spark a variety of reactions throughout individuals. It all depends on one’s beliefs. This decision can actually lead to an increased and improved healthcare accessibility with a pill abortion at a local pharmacy store, especially in areas with limited healthcare.”

“On the other hand, one’s beliefs can go against this decision on how accessible it is to obtain an abortion pill, which would lead to an increase in the abortion rate. In my opinion, I believe every woman should have the right to believe what is right for them.”

Not all agree with that. An SAU freshman student, who preferred to not identify herself, says, “In my opinion the abortion pill only encourages unprotected sex and the misuse of contraceptives. Having things like that in pharmacies with such an easy access will be an incentive for people to be even more irresponsible.”

Although it is a polarized topic, abortion pills will be sold at CVS and Walgreens independent on the public opinion.