Protesters outside the Supreme Court after the Roe v. Wade overturned.
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CVS is limiting the number of emergency contraceptives commonly known as “morning after pills” and “Plan B” people can buy from its website and its stores after last week. Supreme Court’s decision,
The drugstore chain said in a statement that it had a substantial supply of pills online and in stores, but wanted to ensure “equitable access and consistent supply on store shelves.” The move comes after the Supreme Court on Friday overturned a landmark ruling that protected abortion as a constitutional right for nearly 50 years.
CVS Health said it began limiting purchases of Plan B and After, which cost $49.99 and $39.99 respectively, to three per order on Saturday.
Walgreens A representative for the chain said Monday that there is no purchase limit on emergency contraceptives. A Walmart representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment. wall street journal Sales limits on tablets were reported by retailers early Monday.
Emergency contraceptive pills are often sold under the Plan B brand and can be bought over the counter and without any ID or prescription, They work by preventing ovulation or a fertilized egg from attaching to the womb and are taken in the days following unprotected sex or after contraception has failed.
Pills are different from drug abortion, or abortion pillswhich requires a prescription and involves taking two separate pills within 10 weeks of pregnancy, according to Kaiser Family Foundation,
In the days following the Supreme Court ruling, many took to social media to urge people to stock up on birth control pills. Others said the potential shortage could affect those most and urged people to instead fund organizations that help distribute pills to keep it available.
–CNBC’s Melissa Repko contributed to this report.