Amazon limits purchase of contraceptive pills as demand spikes after Roe v Wade ruling

Online company Amazon has placed a limit on the number of contraceptive units that can be purchased at a time, following a surge in demand after the overturning of abortion rights in the US.

Women react to the US Supreme Court decision on Saturday in Washington, DC. Source: ABACA / Lamkey Rod/CNP/ABACA/PA

Key Points

• Amazon has placed a temporary purchase limit of three units per week on emergency contraceptive pills
• The move comes after the Supreme Court overturned the rule that recognised women's constitutional right to abortion.

Amazon has placed a temporary purchase limit of three units per week on emergency contraceptive pills, the online company says.

The move comes days after the US Supreme Court overturned the landmark 1973 Roe v Wade ruling that recognised women's constitutional right to abortion.

The court's ruling led to a temporary spike in demand for over-the counter emergency contraceptive pills, known as Plan B, which are taken within days of sexual intercourse.

Women with unwanted pregnancies in the country now may face the choice of travelling to another state where the procedure remains legal and available, buying abortion pills online or having a potentially dangerous illegal abortion.

The ruling has also had an impact on the demand for over-the counter emergency contraceptive pills, known as Plan B, which are taken within days of sexual intercourse.

Pharmacy chain CVS Health Corp said on Monday it was implementing a temporary purchase limit of three on emergency contraceptive pills Plan B and Aftera, while Walgreens Boots Alliance said it had no purchase limit in place for Plan B pills at this time.