Several major pharmacies imposed purchase limits on emergency contraception — also known as “morning-after pills” — after a surge in demand following last week’s overturning of Roe v. Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court.
CVS confirmed purchase limits to KTLA on Tuesday afternoon.
“Immediately following the Supreme Court decision, we saw a sharp increase in the sale of emergency contraceptives and implemented a temporary purchase limit to ensure equitable access,” CVS spokesman Matt Blanchette said.
Limits included Plan B One-Step and Aftera, which are brand-name products for the drug Levonorgestrel.
CVS said sales have since returned to normal and the chain is in the process of removing the purchase limits, which will take effect in-store and online over the next day. CVS said it has “ample supply” of the medications.
Rite Aid also told NBC News Tuesday morning that it was implementing three-per-customer purchase limits.
Meanwhile, Walmart is limiting emergency contraception medication purchases to 4-6 per-customer, Wall Street Journal explains. Walmart is, however, offering some unlimited purchases, but only on pills that don’t ship until next month.
Walgreens isn’t currently limiting purchases, though the company says home delivery isn’t available at this time due to demand.
Doctors and pharmacies urge that emergency contraception is not intended for regular use. Plan B and similar brands are not abortion-inducing drugs and are intended to prevent ovulation if taken with 72 hours of unprotected sex.
