PEARL Act

Summary#

The PEARL Act would protect the religious freedom of pharmacists who choose not to dispense or sell the drugs mifepristone and misoprostol for abortion services. The text says that, notwithstanding any other law, a pharmacist (including those employed by private businesses or government agencies) may not be required to dispense or sell those drugs if doing so would conflict with the pharmacist's sincerely held religious beliefs. The bill says such pharmacists may not be punished, including by losing a pharmacy license or by having Federal funding withdrawn. The bill also gives a pharmacist a private right of action to bring a civil suit in Federal district court for injunctive relief if they are required to dispense or are punished in violation of the bill. The bill defines "pharmacist" as a person licensed by a State to practice pharmacy, including dispensing and selling prescription drugs. The bill was introduced April 20, 2026, by Representative Tim Burchett and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

What it means for you#

  • If you are a pharmacist licensed by a State: under this bill, you would not be required to dispense mifepristone or misoprostol for abortion services if doing so conflicts with your sincerely held religious beliefs. You could not be punished (for example, by license revocation or loss of Federal funding) for that choice, according to the bill. You would also be able to sue in Federal district court for injunctive relief if someone required you to dispense or punished you.
  • If you work for or run a pharmacy: the bill text says it applies to pharmacists employed by private businesses and government agencies, but it does not describe employer duties, staffing rules, or how pharmacies must fill prescriptions when an objecting pharmacist declines to dispense.
  • If you are a patient: the bill text describes a pharmacist's protections but does not describe how patient access to these drugs would be handled.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

The bill states its purpose is to protect the religious freedom of pharmacists who choose not to dispense or sell abortion-inducing drugs such as mifepristone and misoprostol.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.