Supreme Court Temporarily Restores Mail-Order Access to Abortion Pill Mifepristone
The U.S. Supreme Court has issued a temporary stay, reinstating mail-order access to the abortion pill mifepristone for at least one week.
On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a temporary stay, reinstating mail-order access to the abortion pill mifepristone for at least one week. Justice Samuel Alito's order pauses a recent decision by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that had imposed new restrictions on the drug's distribution.
The appeals court ruling had mandated that mifepristone be dispensed only in person, effectively prohibiting its distribution via telehealth and mail. This decision was challenged by pharmaceutical companies Danco Laboratories and GenBioPro, who argued for the restoration of broader access.
Mifepristone, used in combination with misoprostol, accounts for the majority of abortions in the U.S. Its availability has been particularly significant following the 2022 Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, allowing states to enforce abortion bans.
Justice Alito's order maintains the status quo until May 11, providing the Court time to consider further arguments in the case.