Planned Parenthood of Illinois Statement on FDA's Decision to Allow Pharmacies to Distribute Abortion Medication
For Immediate Release: Jan. 4, 2023
Statement attributed to Jennifer Welch, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Illinois
“We’ve known for years that medication abortion care is overwhelmingly safe and effective. The FDA’s announcement is another step in the right direction for health equity. Planned Parenthood of Illinois (PPIL) began mailing medication abortion pills to patients with an Illinois address in April 2022. This new regulation means that Illinois patients may soon be able to walk into their neighborhood pharmacy with a prescription and walk out with their medication in hand. For patients traveling from a state where abortion is banned or restricted they can still receive care at PPIL through telehealth but will need to pick up their prescription at a health center, visit a participating pharmacy in Illinois, or have their medication mailed to an Illinois address. What appears like a small regulatory change actually has a big health equity impact; treating abortion medications like any other prescription and allowing more people to get the care they need in the way that works best for them.”
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Media Contact:
Mary Jane Maharry
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