Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) is saying, "we're done" with Walgreens for restricting access to abortion pills.
Earlier this week, Newsom said California would no longer do business with Walgreens after the pharmacy announced that it would not distribute mifepristone, an abortion drug used to terminate pregnancies, in 21 Republican-led states.
"California won't be doing business with @walgreens -- or any company that cowers to the extremists and puts women's lives at risk. We're done," Newsom tweeted.
We’re serious about not investing in companies that cave to the extremist agenda of the @GOP. https://t.co/r5JX09SsZW
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) March 8, 2023
Newsom threatened Walgreens that it would face dire consequences for its decision to withhold the anti-life medication. However, the liberal governor failed to clarify how he would cut ties with the company.
In response, a company spokesperson said, "we are deeply disappointed by the decision by the state of California not to renew our longstanding contract due to false and misleading information. Walgreens is facing the same circumstances as all retail pharmacies, and no other retail pharmacies have said that they would approach this situation differently, so it’s unclear where this contract would now be moved. Our position has always been that, once we are certified by the FDA, Walgreens plans to dispense Mifepristone in any jurisdiction where it is legally permissible to do so, including the state of California. We will dispense this medication consistent with federal and state laws. Providing legally approved medications to patients is what pharmacies do, and is rooted in our commitment to the communities in which we operate.”
Newsom accused the pharmaceutical company of giving in to "right-wing bullies," adding that his office is "reviewing all relationships between Walgreens and the state."
The Democrat declared that California would be "pulling back" a renewal of a $54 million contract with Walgreens that would have taken effect on May 1, 2023. The state's Department of General Services holds an agreement with the retailer "to procure specialty pharmacy prescription drugs" used by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and its correctional health care system.
Democratic California state Attorney General Rob Bonta also claimed that Walgreens is giving in to "political pressure from anti-abortion states," calling the drug a "necessary and lifesaving medication."
However, pro-life Twitter users called out Newsom for campaigning against Walgreens merely for political reasons.
"I can't wait to see how seniors react to their governor trying to shut down their local pharmacy over a political fight," Republican communicator Matt Whitlock said.
I can't wait to see how seniors react to their governor trying to shut down their local pharmacy over a political fight. https://t.co/RFGy1OtKPm
— Matt Whitlock (@mattdizwhitlock) March 6, 2023
Townhall columnist Brad Slager wrote, "you should check in with San Francisco and see what a disaster their similar bans on states they disapproved of ended up being for them economically while accomplishing none of the stated intents."
You should check in with San Francisco and see what a disaster their similar bans on states they disapproved of ended up being for them economically while accomplishing none of the stated intents.https://t.co/Kb1ECpWcwB https://t.co/IEYYZQoQF0
— Brad Slager: CNN+ Lifetime Subscriber (@MartiniShark) March 6, 2023
That @GavinNewsom -- he won't stop until he runs every business out of CA," actor Nick Searcy tweeted.