PORTLAND, Ore. — While Washington prepares to destroy more than $1.3 million worth of abortion pills set to expire, Oregon has secured its supply of mifepristone until 2028, ensuring continued access to the medication despite ongoing legal and political challenges.
Stockpiles in Response to Roe v. Wade Reversal
In 2023, after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and lawsuits emerged challenging the FDA’s approval of mifepristone, several Democratic-led states moved to stockpile abortion medication.
Oregon, Washington, and Massachusetts each purchased bulk supplies of mifepristone, while New York and California focused on stockpiling misoprostol, the second drug used in the two-step regimen for abortion and miscarriage care.
Also Read
Oregon’s Purchase and Renewal
That year, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, working with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), approved the purchase of 22,500 doses of mifepristone at $40 per dose, totaling $900,000.
The original stockpile was set to expire this month. But following the 2024 presidential election, Oregon arranged an exchange with the drug’s manufacturer, Danco Laboratories, replacing the expiring doses at no additional cost. The new supply now carries an expiration date of September 2028.
According to OHA spokesperson Tim Heider, the state currently has about 14,000 doses remaining in its stockpile.
Washington Faces Losses
In contrast, Washington is preparing to destroy its expiring supply of mifepristone, valued at $1.3 million, after failing to secure a similar replacement agreement. The move has reignited debates about how states prepare for potential restrictions on reproductive healthcare.
Safeguarding Access
For Oregon, the extended shelf life represents both a practical and political step. With litigation around mifepristone still winding its way through the courts, state leaders have sought to ensure that residents will not face sudden shortages should federal access be restricted.
Public health officials say the stockpile is intended as a backstop, available if supply chains are disrupted or legal barriers reduce access through pharmacies and clinics.
Broader Context
Mifepristone, approved by the FDA in 2000, is widely used in both abortion care and miscarriage management. It is taken in combination with misoprostol, and together the two medications account for more than half of all abortions in the U.S.
The Supreme Court heard arguments earlier this year in a case challenging the FDA’s regulation of the drug. Although access remains legal nationwide, Democratic-led states have pursued stockpiling strategies to guarantee availability regardless of future rulings.
Oregon’s Position
By renewing its stockpile, Oregon has placed itself in a stronger position than neighboring Washington. Officials say the move reflects the state’s broader commitment to preserving reproductive healthcare access.
“The goal is simple,” one OHA official said. “We want to ensure that Oregonians will continue to have access to essential medications, no matter what happens nationally.”
