Costco Will Not Sell Abortion Pill At Its Pharmacies

Costco Wholesale (COST) has decided not to sell the abortion pill called “mifepristone” at its more than 500 pharmacy locations.

According to media reports, Costco has made the decision not to dispense the abortion pill because it has not seen strong consumer demand for the medication.

However, there are also reports that conservative groups and faith-based activists had urged the wholesale retailer to avoid selling the drug.

Costco has not commented publicly on the abortion pill or its decision not to sell it.

Mifepristone, together with another medicine called misoprostol, is widely used to end a pregnancy within 10 weeks. It has been on the market since 2000.

The pill blocks the hormone progesterone, which helps a woman's body maintain the lining of the uterus during pregnancy. The second medication, misoprostol, is then taken to complete the abortion.

Major retailers and pharmacy chains, including Walmart (WMT) and CVS Health (CVS), have also been pressured by conservative groups in the U.S. to not sell abortion medications.

COST stock is up 8% this year and trading at $978.85 U.S. per share.