Gov. Kathy Hochul and state Attorney General Letitia James sent a letter to several major pharmacy chains on Thursday asking them to offer abortion pills.

The letter comes days after Walgreens announced it would not dispense abortion medication in 21 Republican states. Hochul and James say that because abortion is legal in New York, they want every major pharmacy to make abortion medication available to New Yorkers.

In December of 2022, the Food and Drug Administration lifted the requirement on in-person dispensing of Mifepristone, an FDA-approved pill used for abortion care and to treat miscarriages.

Elected leaders say that increasing the availability of medication for abortion is essential to making these options as accessible as possible.

A spokesperson for Walgreens provided News 12 with the following statement:

"Walgreens plans to dispense Mifepristone in any jurisdiction where it is legally permissible to do so. Once we are certified by the FDA, we will dispense this medication consistent with federal and state laws."

The letter from Hochul and James asks the companies to respond within 10 business days about their plans to dispense abortion pills via mail or at their pharmacy locations.