Massachusetts pharmacies and chemical abortion pills

MCFL is researching pharmacies across the state and their respective plans to dispense medical abortion drugs. We will update the list below on a regular basis. You can help! Email [email protected] with information you have from your local pharmacy.

Background

In early January 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the sale of the abortion pill at retail pharmacies.Two drug makers who produce mifepristone tablets, the first of two pills consumed in a chemical abortion, asked the FDA to permit a change on the drug’s label. That change increases availability of the pills. Up until now, abortion pills were dispensed primarily at abortion clinics. New wording on packages of mifepristone will permit chains like CVS and Walgreens to provide the pills to women, as long as the stores' pharmacies obtain certification.

You can read additional background information on the FDA's January ruling here.

A number of independent pharmacies still operate in Massachusetts. MCFL is contacting them to inquire whether or not they will opt to sell the abortion pill.

PHARMACY NAME ADDRESS PHONE MIFEPRISTONE & MISOPROSTOL
Essential RX 123 Summer St., Suite 365, Worcester, MA 01608 508-363-6602 NO
Athol Pharmacy 290 Main St., Athol, MA 01331 987-830-0427 YES
Ayer Pharmacy 13 Park ST., Ayer, MA 01432-1120 978-391-4061 YES
Bouvier Pharmacy 515 Lincoln St., Marlborough,MA 01752 508-485-0432 NO COMMENT
Bravo Pharmacy 3158 Washington St., Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 617-53-2501 YES
Chair City Pharmacy 34 Connors St., Gardner,MA 01440-2605 978-410-4976 YES
Conlin's Pharmacy 30 Lawrence St., Methuen,MA 01844 978-552-1700 YES
Dan's Pharmacy 110 Pleasant St., Nantucket, MA 02554 508-825-9100 YES
Fairhaven Pharmacy 72 Main St., Fairhaven, MA 02719-3014 508-525-4455 YES
Hingham Center Pharmacy 294 Main St., Hingham, MA 02043 781-749-1277 NOT YET
Margolis Pharmacy 447 Broadway, Chelsea, MA 02150 617-884-3524 YES
Nantasket Pharmacy Inc. 480 Nantasket Ave., Hull, MA 02045 781-925-1270 NOT YET
Norwood Pharmacy 54 Broadway, Norwood, MA 781-349-8895 YES
Oldens Pharmacy 101 Pleasasnt St., South Weymouth, MA 02190 781-337-0187 NO COMMENT
Pepperell Family Pharmacy 74 Main St., Pepperell, MA 01463 978-433-6130 YES
Scituate Pharmacy 384 Gannett Rd., Scituate, MA 02066 781-545-1020 NOT YET
Standard Pharmacy 246 East Main ST., Fall River, MA 02724 508-672-6911 YES
Standard Pharmacy@Healthfirst 387 Quarry St., Fall River, MA 02723 774-322-1335 YES
Walpole Pharmacy 699 Main St., Walpole, MA 02081 508-645-8866 NOT DECIDED
Walsh Pharmacy 202 Rock St., Fall River, MA 02720 508-679-1300 NOT YET
Watch City Pharmacy 923 Main St., Waltham, MA 02451 781-472-2281 YES
Winchester Pharmacy 568 Main St., Winchester, MA 01890 781-570-2320 YES

 

 

Additionally, as of April 1, 2023, there are some pharmacies at supermarkets that do not directly offer chemical abortion pills, including:

  • Wegmans
  • Stop & Shop
  • Walmart
  • Costco

We suggest calling your local supermarket's pharmacy to confirm if they offer or not chemical abortion pills.

Steps to transfer a prescription to a new pharmacy

If you find a pharmacy that does not offer chemical abortion pills, you can transfer your prescriptions following these three steps by GoodRx Health (learn more here):

1. Contact or visit the pharmacy where you want your prescription to be transferred.

2. Provide your personal details, such as your full name, date of birth, contact information, medical information, and prescription details, to the new pharmacy.

3. Allow up to three days for the transfer process to be completed.

Don't forget to inform your doctor's office of the new pharmacy information as soon as possible.

NOTE:

A Texas judge heard arguments on March 15 in a case that could outlaw mifepristone, one of the drugs used in medical abortions. Currently, mifepristone is used in more than half of all U.S. abortions. In 2021, 8,311 medical abortions took place in the Commonwealth, just over 49% of the state's total number of abortions that year.

If Matthew Kacsmaryk, a U.S. District Court judge in Amarillo, rules against the Justice Department, representing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and in favor of the Alliance Defending Freedom, which filed a lawsuit against the FDA's approval of the abortion drug, medical abortion would effectively be illegal, including here in Massachusetts. MCFL will share any updates in this case as they become available. Subscribe here to receive our breaking news email updates.