The Supreme Court has issued a temporary stay on a lower court ruling in a dispute involving the Food and Drug Administration's approval of the abortion pill mifepristone. The order requires both sides to weigh in by Tuesday and preserves access to the drug for now. The court will take time to more fully consider the issues raised in the court challenge before making a final decision, though it is unclear when they will make a final ruling.
Posts tagged as “the Food and Drug Administration”
This week has seen a flurry of activity in the abortion debate, with a federal court ruling partially overturning a lower court ruling that had said mifepristone sales should be stopped, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signing into law a six-week abortion ban. DeSantis, who is rumored to be considering a presidential run, has been oddly muted on the abortion issue since the fall of Roe v. Wade, avoiding laying out a federal platform before jumping into the race.
The Society of Family Planning's report reveals that medication abortions provided by virtual-only providers have increased by 136% since the Supreme Court eliminated the constitutional right to abortion in June 2022. Total abortions decreased by 2%, and the Guttmacher Institute found that medication abortions already accounted for more than half of all US abortions in 2020. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently ruled to preserve but narrow access to an abortion pill across the U.S., and the rate of medication abortions is likely to continue to rise.
The Justice Department has announced plans to appeal to the Supreme Court after the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals reimposed restrictions on mifepristone, commonly known as the abortion pill. Attorney General Merrick Garland said the Justice Department "strongly disagrees" with the court's decision and will be asking the Supreme Court to intervene. The FDA's decision to lift restrictions on mifepristone had been welcomed by abortion rights advocates, and the Supreme Court's decision on the case could have a major impact on the availability of the drug.
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.
The Justice Department has asked a federal judge in Washington state to clarify an order that the FDA maintain the availability of the abortion pill in more than a dozen states, in direct opposition to a Texas decision. A coalition of Democratic attorneys general had filed suit to lift restrictions on the drug, and the Justice Department is now seeking clarification on the order. It remains to be seen how the court will respond and how it will affect the availability of the drug in the states involved.
Biden Administration Prepares to Defend FDA Approval of Abortion Drug Despite Federal Judge’s Ruling
Biden Administration Prepares to Defend FDA Approval of Abortion Drug Despite Federal Judge’s Ruling
The Biden administration has responded to a recent ruling from a federal judge in Texas that suspended the approval of a medication drug used for abortion. Rep. Nancy Mace, a Republican congresswoman, has urged the FDA to ignore the ruling, while Jones, spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Human Services, stated that the agency is prepared to defend the approval through the legal process. The FDA has not yet commented on the ruling or the administration's response, leaving the future of the drug uncertain.
Xavier Becerra, President Joe Biden's health secretary, has spoken out against a court ruling that threatens the availability of a main drug used in medication abortion. The ruling, made by Donald Trump-appointee Matthew Kacsmaryk in Texas, has been met with criticism from reproductive rights advocates. The Biden administration has committed to protecting women's reproductive rights and will do whatever is necessary to ensure that women have access to the medication they need.