Dueling Court Rulings Put State of Mifepristone in Limbo

Access to the abortion pill mifepristone is in limbo following two contradictory court rulings. On April 7, U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk ordered the FDA to suspend its approval of mifepristone, which the agency first issued in 2000. The judge gave the Biden administration seven days to appeal.

On April 10, the Dept. of Justice asked the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to block the ruling and keep the drug on the market as litigation plays out. On April 12, the court ruled that mifepristone will remain available for now but with new restrictions, including a requirement for in-person doctor visits to obtain the drug. The Biden administration then responded that it would immediately seek emergency relief from the Supreme Court to restore full access to mifepristone.

Meanwhile, states including New York, Massachusetts, California and Washington are rushing to stockpile abortion pills.