Federal Appeals Court Restricts Mail Distribution of Abortion Pill Mifepristone
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that mifepristone must be dispensed in person at clinics, blocking its distribution by mail.
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that mifepristone, a widely used abortion medication, must be dispensed in person at clinics, effectively blocking its distribution by mail. This decision overrides previous FDA regulations that permitted telemedicine prescriptions and mail delivery of the drug.
The ruling states that allowing mail-order access to mifepristone undermines state abortion bans, such as Louisiana's, which prohibit abortion at any stage. The panel of judges, all appointed by Republican presidents, challenged the FDA's longstanding authority over drug safety regulations.
Mifepristone, approved in 2000, is typically used in combination with misoprostol to terminate early pregnancies. It accounts for the majority of abortions in the U.S., with many prescriptions issued via telehealth, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reproductive rights advocates express concern that this decision could drastically limit nationwide access to essential reproductive care. An emergency appeal to the Supreme Court is anticipated.