Corporate America Responds to Pro-Life Pressure

Costco announced on August 14, 2025 that it will not dispense the abortion pill mifepristone—a drug now used in more than 60% of all U.S. abortions—at any of its 500-plus pharmacy locations nationwide. The company cited “low customer demand” and noted that most patients obtain the drug through their medical providers. The move comes after sustained advocacy from pro-life groups such as Alliance Defending Freedom and Inspire Investing, who urged the retail giant to stay out of the business of ending innocent lives. ADF’s legal counsel Michael Ross called the decision “a very significant win” and signaled that efforts will now turn toward pressuring other major pharmacy chains to follow suit.

The news follows a similar development with Kroger, which has confirmed it does not sell mifepristone despite its website previously listing it as available. While Kroger has not provided an official explanation, industry speculation suggests the chain backed away quickly after pushback from customers and advocacy organizations. The swift retreat has been hailed by pro-life supporters as proof that sustained consumer pressure can change corporate policies.

Pro-life leaders stress that the pressure must now remain firmly on Walgreens and CVS, two of the nation’s largest pharmacy chains, which continue to sell mifepristone in many states. They argue that removing these drugs will stop our local pharmacists from becoming abortionists, especially given that chemical abortions now outnumber surgical procedures.

Meanwhile, Target faced public scrutiny this June when in-store rainbow displays were far smaller and less prominent than in previous years. Many locations featured red-white-and-blue “USA” merchandise in place of rainbow-themed displays that had been the focus of controversy in past summers. Although Target has not ended its product line—which remains available online and in select stores—the reduced visibility was seen by some as a strategic response to last year’s consumer backlash.

From pharmacy counters to store displays, these shifts show that persistent, organized action can influence corporate decisions. For the pro-life movement, Costco’s withdrawal from abortion pill sales is a particularly important victory—one that chips away from making our favorite retailers abortion businesses, where they exterminate their future customers.