A federal judge has issued a ruling to stay the FDA's approval of the abortion drug mifepristone, in response to a lawsuit brought by anti-abortion groups in Texas. The ruling invalidates the FDA's 23-year-old approval of the drug, and the groups have urged the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to let the ruling stand. The case is likely to be taken to the Supreme Court, and the outcome could have a significant impact on access to the medication.
Posts tagged as “Matthew J. Kacsmaryk”
The Department of Justice has filed a request in a federal appeals court to block a ruling from a Trump-appointed judge that would have endangered access to the abortion pill mifepristone. The Biden administration is arguing that the ruling is "extraordinary and unprecedented" and should be stayed pending appeal. The FDA approved mifepristone in 2000 and it has since become one of the most commonly used abortion pills, used in combination with another drug to terminate a pregnancy.
The Biden administration is facing a legal challenge that could restrict access to the leading abortion drug in the U.S. A 19th century “anti-vice” law, the Comstock Act, has been revived by anti-abortion groups and conservative states in an effort to block the mailing of mifepristone. HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra has said that all options are on the table to ensure access to the drug, including Supreme Court intervention. Pro-choice advocates have criticized the ruling, arguing that it will have a negative impact on women’s health and rights.