California Governor Gavin Newsom has vowed to cut the state’s business ties with Walgreens Boots Alliance after the pharmacy chain announced it would no longer distribute abortion pills to 20 U.S. states following public pressure from the state’s representatives.
In a March 6 tweet, Governor Newsom stated, “California won’t be doing business with Walgreens – or any company that cowers to the extremists and puts women’s lives at risk. We’re done.”
A spokesperson for Newsom told Reuters that all relationships between the company and the state were now under review, but did not expand on how the business ties might change.
Walgreens’ decision to not dispense abortion pills at its pharmacies or by mail came in response to threats of legal action by more than 20 state attorneys general if the company were to do so.
The letter to Walgreens’ Executive Vice President Danielle Gray, led by Missouri attorney general Andrew Bailey, stated that any decision by the company to distribute abortion pills by mail would violate state and federal laws.
“We emphasize that it is our responsibility as state attorneys general to uphold the law and protect the health, safety, and well-being of women and unborn children in our states. Part of that responsibility includes ensuring that companies like yours are fully informed of the law so that harm does not come to our citizens,” the letter contended.
Walgreens, however, clarified in a March 6 statement that it still plans to dispense abortion medication “in any jurisdiction where it is legally permissible to do so,” in a manner consistent with federal and state laws.