US Supreme Court extends hold on ruling restricting access to abortion drug

Justice Alito imposes temporary stay on abortion pill restrictions

The US Supreme Court has extended a hold on a lower court ruling that would have imposed significant restrictions on access to the abortion drug, mifepristone. The stay is a temporary move meant to give the justices more time to consider the issue. The case concerns the scope of the US Food and Drug Administration’s authority to regulate a drug used in the majority of abortions today in states that still allow the procedure.

Controversy over FDA approval of mifepristone

The controversy began when a US District Court Judge issued a ruling blocking the FDA’s 2000 approval of mifepristone and subsequent changes made in subsequent years to make the drug more accessible. The 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals froze part of the ruling, but access to mifepristone is still significantly limited.

Duelling court orders create regulatory chaos

There is conflict between the decisions from Texas, Louisiana, and Washington state district courts regarding mifepristone use. The dueling federal court orders have created regulatory chaos, according to Danco, which is one of the manufacturers of mifepristone.

DOJ and manufacturer ask Supreme Court to intervene

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has issued an administrative stay on the ruling while the high court considers an emergency appeal filed by the Biden administration and Danco. The Department of Justice and Danco had asked the supreme court to intervene to stop the restrictions.

Medication abortion emerges as heated flashpoint in abortion legal battle

Medication abortion has emerged as a particularly heated flashpoint in the abortion legal battle since the Supreme Court last year overturned Roe v. Wade precedent that protected abortion rights nationally. The future of the case is uncertain, and the stay does not indicate how the supreme court will ultimately rule on the case.

Supreme Court must decide whether to leave restrictions in place

The Supreme Court must decide whether to leave the restrictions on the drug in place or reverse the FDA’s decision to lift them. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar has defended the FDA’s scientific judgment and healthcare system that relies on mifepristone as an alternative to surgical abortions. The Alliance Defending Freedom supports the 5th Circuit’s decision to impose restrictions on mifepristone access and urges the Supreme Court to keep the accountability in place.

Shift in rules and restrictions on abortion access

The legal battle over mifepristone has stirred debates on abortion in a moment when shifting rules are being challenged. At least 14 states have almost completely banned abortion, while in eight states, court orders are blocking the ban’s implementation, affecting clinics and patients seeking the procedure.

Overall, this temporary stay provides time for further deliberations about access to mifepristone, a drug which is considered by many as an effective alternative to invasive surgical abortions for women seeking an early termination of pregnancy.

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