Federal Appeals Court Restricts Access to Abortion Pill Mifepristone

A federal appeals court has ruled to restrict access to the abortion pill mifepristone but has not removed it from the market entirely, upholding part of a lower court’s decision. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision could prevent the pill from being distributed through mail-order prescriptions. Despite this, its availability remains unchanged due to the Supreme Court issuing an emergency order while the case is being appealed.

The case is expected to be taken to the highest court as 14 states have implemented abortion bans since overturning Roe v. Wade last year. The FDA, which initially approved mifepristone in 2000, has been criticized for its attitudes. A Texas judge who fully supports the ban commented, “The FDA can do no wrong.” The latest ruling has reversed a previous decision to take mifepristone off the market, but mail distribution is still prohibited. The potential for a ban is feared to make accessing the medication within the permitted 10-week limit more challenging.

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