Rite Aid and CVS are rationing purchases of emergency contraceptives to prevent shortages and stockpiling amid Roe v. Wade repeal

State laws banning abortion "from the moment of fertilization" could interfere with access to emergency contraception. Darin Oswald/Idaho Statesman/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

• Pharmacies including Rite Aid and CVS are rationing purchases of contraceptive pills.
• Retailers have witnessed high demand for over-the-counter contraception after the repeal of Roe v. Wade.
• On Tuesday, it was possible to purchase a maximum of three pills online from Rite Aid.

Retail giants including CVS and Rite Aid are rationing supplies of emergency contraceptive pills as demand surges in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision to strike down Roe v. Wade, effectively preventing safe abortion access in many states across America.

Multiple outlets, including The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg, reported the news.

The retailers implemented the purchase limits due to high demand and to ensure people could still access the medication following the Supreme Court's decision, the outlets reported. 

The ruling is likely to set in place a patchwork of laws, as around half of US states are expected to impose restrictions on abortion access or ban abortion completely. The decision will also force pregnant people to travel to states where abortion is still legal to access the healthcare. 

Over-the-counter contraceptives were in short supply and high demand on Monday morning, the outlets reported.

CVS and Rite Aid rationed the emergency medication to three tablets per person, The Wall Street Journal reported.

CVS said it was rationing the pills "to ensure equitable access and consistent supply on store shelves," per a report from the New York Times.

Visiting Rite Aid's website Tuesday morning, Insider found that a three pill per transaction restriction was in place.

It was possible to purchase up to ten emergency contraceptives online from Walmart as of Tuesday morning, Insider found.

Stock levels were unclear at CVS' online store, with the website showing the pill as both out of stock and available online at different times on Tuesday morning. When the pill appeared to be available, Insider was able to add 99 to its shopping basket.

Walmart, Rite Aid, and CVS did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment outside normal business hours.

The pills, which can be purchased over the counter, are designed to prevent pregnancy when taken soon after unprotected sex.

One of the most popular brands of the emergency contraceptive, Plan B One Step, was in stock on most of the retailers' websites on Tuesday, and cost around $46.