Governor Gavin Newsom Cutting Business Ties With Drugstore Giant Walgreens Transcript

… this morning, Governor Gavin Newsom is blasting Walgreens over its decision not to offer abortion medication in 20 states. As a result, the governor says that California will seize doing business with the drugstore giant. CBS Eight’s Chris Crow joining us now with more reaction from this from a Walgreens there, Chris?

Yeah, good morning, Eric. And again, we are still unsure exactly what cutting off business with Walgreens and the state will look like in terms of the actual stores. Remember, there are about more than 580 locations across our state, that’s the second most in the country just next to Florida. Now, as for this decision, Walgreens made it to not offer the drug mifepristone after a wave of pressure came from Republican lawmakers and lawsuits that target the legality of the so-called abortion pills in several states. In fact, a federal judge in Texas is expected to rule on a lawsuit that seeks to block the use of the medication nationwide. A decision in that case is expected at any time right now. But a spokesperson from Governor Newsom’s office tells CBS Eight that California is, “Reviewing all relationships between Walgreens and the state. We will not pursue business with companies that cave to right-wing bullies, pushing their extremist agenda, or companies that put politics above the health of women and girls.” Meanwhile, we spoke with a public health scientist at UC San Francisco about Walgreens’ decision, which she worries is more about politics than anything else.

Then I’m concerned about people of low-income, adolescents, and people of color who will be the most affected by this decision.

And of course, we did reach out to Walgreens who said that they’re going to continue to offer the medication in states in which it is allowed. But they also wrote, “Once we are certified by the FDA, we will dispense this medication consistent with federal and state laws. Providing legally approved medications to patients is what pharmacies do, and it’s rooted on our commitment to the communities in which we operate.” You can read more about what Walgreens said to us in a statement by going to cbs8.com, and clicking on that story link. Eric?