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For more than a year, Costco deliberated over whether to become certified to dispense mifepristone, the drug used first in the typical two-step regimen for a medication abortion. The procedure, often easier and cheaper than the surgical alternative, is the option women in America most frequently choose to end pregnancies.

In a statement Thursday, Costco said the decision was “based on the lack of demand from our members and other patients.” The company did not answer further questions from The Washington Post about the influence of outside groups.

The battle over whether mifepristone would be sold in retail pharmacies began in March 2024, when CVS and Walgreens received FDA certification to sell the pill.

Four months later, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander sent letters to a handful of other household-name pharmacies, urging them to follow in the footsteps of CVS and Walgreens. In his letters to Costco, Walmart, Kroger, Albertsons and McKesson, Landers reminded the companies that New York City’s pension system owned shares in them. The shares in Costco alone at the time were valued at $443.9 million. Getting certified to dispense the pill, Lander wrote to Costco CEO Ron Vachris, “aligns with both long-term shareholder interests and women’s health care needs.” As pressure from investors mounted, Costco indicated it did not plan to become certified to sell mifepristone, citing customer interest.