Walgreens

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said that the state would halt business with Walgreens after the pharmacy giant agreed to stop distributing mifepristone in some red states amid legal pressure.

The drugstore chain’s announcement that access to mifepristone may not expand as broadly as federal regulators intended when they finalized a rule change allowing more pharmacies to provide the pill. Here’s a closer look at the issue.

Florida law requires patients to have an in-person visit with a physician at least 24 hours before an abortion procedure, including for medication abortion. The patient then needs to make another appointment to take the first dose in person.

Changes by the FDA mean patients won't have to schedule in-person exams to get a prescription. That opens the door for more pharmacies to provide the medication. But not everyone will have access.

Walgreens will limit online orders of children's fever and pain medicine to six items "to help support availability and avoid excess purchases." At CVS stores, purchases will be limited to two.

CVS would pay about $5 billion and Walgreens more than $5.5 billion, though neither company has admitted wrongdoing. States have until the end of the year to accept the terms of the settlement.

The White House announced the initiative this week as part of President Joe Biden’s push to increase COVID vaccinations and treatments to slow a possible fall and winter surge.

Walgreens was the 12th and final defendant in the state's legal battle against opioid manufacturers, distributors and pharmaceutical companies it holds responsible for the epidemic.

The Pasco trial is expected to last a couple of months. The state says Walgreens ignored red flags and filled millions of suspicious prescriptions. Walgreens says drugmakers misled pharmacies about risks.

Florida contends Walgreens has been an integral part of the opioid epidemic. Opening statements are set for early next week. The pharmacy chain says it will not settle.