Check here for updates on the evolving legal situation over mifepristone:
Latest:
On Thursday, June 13, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously to preserve access to mifepristone. The nine justices ruled that abortion opponents lacked the legal right to sue over the federal Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of the medication and the FDA’s subsequent actions to ease access to it. This case had threatened to restrict access to mifepristone across the country. Mifepristone is used to treat people with Cushing’s syndrome and diabetes. Mifepristone has also been safely and effectively used to end pregnancy since the FDA first approved the drug over 20 years ago.
Background:
- The Texas court ruled to ban mifepristone on April 7, taking away the FDA’s authority to regulate the safety of medications. The judge paused the decision for seven days to allow for appeals.
- Meanwhile, a federal judge in Washington state ordered the FDA to continue to make mifepristone available in the 17 states and District of Columbia that sued to protect access.
- The Court of Appeals decided on April 12 to keep mifepristone on the market while an expedited appeal plays out, but with restrictions—the drug can no longer be dispensed through the mail or later in pregnancy.
- On April 14, the Supreme Court intervened to pause these restrictions and temporarily preserve access to mifepristone. This intervention expires on Wednesday, April 19th. This deadline has been extended to Friday, April 21.
- The Supreme Court ruled on April 21 that mifepristone could remain on the market while the case plays out in a lower court. The appeals court has oral arguments on the case on May 17. Whether mail-order access to mifepristone will be preserved may be a key issue for the appeals court.
- A federal appeals court ruled on August 16 that mifepristone should remain legal in the United States but with significant restrictions on patients’ access to it. The restrictions would prevent mifepristone from being mailed to patients, require in-person doctor visits, and reduce the window in which it could be prescribed.
- Mifepristone will remain available for now under existing regulations while the litigation continues, in accordance with a Supreme Court order this spring.
- CVS and Walgreens stores will begin selling mifepristone at pharmacies across certain states, while oral arguments will occur about the drug on March 26th.
