‘Huge surge’ in U.S. abortion pill demand after Trump’s election win

Within hours of Donald Trump’s presidential victory, Americans began looking to stockpile reproductive health medications, including emergency contraception and abortion pills.

Within hours of Donald Trump’s presidential victory, Americans began looking to stockpile reproductive health medications, including emergency contraception and abortion pills, amid widespread fears that his administration could restrict access to these essential resources.

The abortion pill mifepristone — sold as Mifegymiso in Canada and Mifeprex in the U.S. — has been flying off the shelves, with online retailers reporting a surge in demand as people take proactive steps to safeguard their reproductive autonomy, explained Elisa Wells, co-founder of Plan C, a U.S. public health initiative that helps facilitate medication abortion.

“Prior to the election results coming out, earlier this month, we had 4,500 visitors per day. Yesterday, we had 82,900 visitors. It’s a huge surge in people looking for information about how to access abortion,” she said. “We also know from talking to providers that they have seen a huge surge in requests for abortion pills.”

Wells believes the surge in requests following the election will continue for some time, as people take steps to secure their reproductive health options for the future.

That’s because the abortion pill is a contentious issue in the U.S. In June, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a bid by anti-abortion groups and doctors to restrict access to the abortion pill. Around half of U.S. states permit online prescribing and mail delivery of mifepristone, while the others either restrict its availability or ban it altogether.

Although mifepristone remains legal in many states, there is growing concern that access may become more restricted under a Trump administration, especially given the former president’s wavering stance on a potential ban.

“What’s really happening is that people are afraid that abortion is not going to be accessible, even in states that currently are providing it. There is a lot of fear in the United States. And it’s hard to know whether that fear is justified,” Wells said.

“Based on what Trump has said about abortion … he has flip-flopped on it over the years.”