(JustPatriots.com)- Following the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, Amazon has joined other businesses in imposing limits on the quantity of emergency contraception customers may purchase.
According to a representative for the e-commerce giant, Amazon’s restriction temporarily bans purchasing contraceptives at three units each week became effective on Monday. The business withheld more information regarding the emergency contraceptive drugs that were restricted from sale, but a listing indicated that the restriction extended to Plan B, the well-known “morning after” pill.
According to a company representative, Rite Aid, a national network of pharmacies, also implemented a similar rule on Monday, limiting Plan B purchases to three units per client due to rising demand. The restriction is in place for both in-person and online transactions.
Using abortion pills to end a pregnancy is different from using emergency contraception. Plan B, available over-the-counter, provides a concentrated form of the same medication in many standard birth control tablets. Within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse, a woman can dramatically reduce her risk of becoming pregnant by taking Plan B. However, the pill has no impact if a woman is already pregnant.
Limiting purchase is a common strategy that assists merchants in avoiding hoarding and reselling at a profit.
Retailers exercise caution. According to Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData Retail, “They are attempting to control it.” However, he doesn’t believe there are persistent shortages.
Walmart, Amazon’s main rival, has limited online orders for Plan B to 10 units, but it’s not clear when this restriction first took effect. Currently, the shop has no in-store limitations, although management might alter things based on demand to help maintain supply.
A Walmart representative responded, saying that many of their items have internet purchasing restrictions and that these restrictions may fluctuate during periods of variable demand.”
Meanwhile, CVS Health said that it had eliminated its emergency contraception limits after putting in place a temporary cap in response to Friday’s high court decision. The business claimed that after a “sharp rise” in sales, which have subsequently leveled off, it has been attempting to maintain access to the items.
According to CVS Health spokesperson Matthew Blanchette, they continue to have enough supply of emergency contraception to satisfy client needs.
The pharmacy chain Walgreens still meets the demand for in-store purchases and curbside collection of over-the-counter emergency contraceptive tablets. Company spokesperson Emily Mekstan noted that the company is refilling its ship-to-home business due to increased demand. Walgreens and CVS Health are the two largest pharmacy chains in the United States.
Target and Kroger spokespeople said they have no information to provide on prospective restrictions on contraceptive purchases.
