Federal Judge Allows Continued Telehealth Access to Abortion Pill Amid FDA Review
A federal judge in Louisiana has permitted the continued mailing of mifepristone prescriptions while the FDA conducts a safety review, temporarily halting the state's challenge to telehealth abortion services.
A federal judge in Louisiana has ruled that prescriptions for the abortion pill mifepristone can continue to be filled by mail across the United States while the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) completes a safety review of the drug. U.S. District Judge David Joseph granted the FDA's request to pause the case initiated by Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, who sought to halt the mailing of mifepristone prescriptions.
Judge Joseph emphasized that the FDA possesses the expertise to evaluate scientific evidence and make public health judgments. He ordered the agency to update the court on its progress within six months.
Attorney General Murrill expressed intent to appeal the decision, highlighting the judge's acknowledgment of potential harm to Louisiana.
Mifepristone, approved by the FDA in 2000, is commonly used in combination with misoprostol for medication abortions. The FDA's 2023 regulation allowed the drug to be prescribed via telehealth and mailed to patients, a practice that has become more prevalent, especially in states with abortion restrictions.
The FDA's safety review of mifepristone is ongoing, with the agency expected to report its findings to the court by October 2026.