Thousands of U.S. women have been stockpiling abortion pills in anticipation of potential difficulties in accessing the medication, according to new research. The demand for these pills surged in the past couple of years, particularly during times when it seemed they might become harder to obtain. Medication abortion, which involves the use of two drugs – mifepristone and misoprostol –accounts for more than half of all abortions in the country.
A research letter published by JAMA Internal Medicine revealed that Aid Access, a European online telemedicine service, received approximately 48,400 requests for advance provision of abortion pills from people across the United States between September 2021 and April 2023. These requests were made by individuals who were not yet pregnant but were seeking access to the pills for future or immediate use. The highest number of requests occurred shortly after news leaked in May 2022 that the Supreme Court might overturn the landmark Roe vs. Wade ruling, before the official announcement was made in June of that year.
The research findings indicate that nationally, the average number of daily requests skyrocketed nearly tenfold from around 25 in the eight months prior to the leak, to 247 after the leak. In states where an abortion ban was seemingly inevitable, the average weekly request rate rose almost ninefold. Dr. Abigail Aiken, an associate professor at the University of Texas at Austin and one of the authors of the research letter, explained that individuals are concerned about impending threats to reproductive health access and rights and are considering how they can prepare for such scenarios or find ways to circumvent them.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision, daily requests dropped to 89 nationwide as reflected by the study. However, they surged to 172 in April 2023 due to conflicting legal rulings surrounding the federal approval of mifepristone. It is anticipated that the Supreme Court will decide on restrictions placed on the drug later this year. Dr. Rebecca Gomperts, director of Aid Access based in Amsterdam and a co-author of the research letter, attributed this spike to heightened public awareness during times of uncertainty.
The research sheds light on the preparations made by women across the United States to safeguard their reproductive rights. With medication abortion comprising a significant proportion of all abortions in the country, these findings underscore the relevance and significance of easy access to abortion pills for women, especially during periods of potential legal obstruction.
While the study focused on requests made through Aid Access, it provides insights into the concerns faced by many women in the United States regarding the future availability of abortion medication. As public awareness regarding these issues grows, it becomes increasingly vital to address the challenges that women may encounter in accessing safe and legal abortion options.
The research letter highlights the need for continued efforts to protect reproductive rights and ensure that women have access to the healthcare services they need. As discussions surrounding reproductive rights intensify, it is crucial to have comprehensive and respectful conversations that take into consideration the diverse experiences and perspectives that shape this complex issue.
In conclusion, the research shows that thousands of women in the United States have been stockpiling abortion pills in response to concerns about potential restrictions on access. These findings emphasize the importance of maintaining easy and affordable access to medication abortion, and the need for ongoing efforts to protect reproductive rights in the country.
