Supreme Court upholds access to abortion pill
In a significant victory for the Biden administration and supporters of abortion rights, the US Supreme Court has frozen lower court rulings that placed restrictions on the use of the abortion drug mifepristone. As a result, the drug, which has been deemed safe and effective by medical experts, will remain easily accessible while appeals play out in the coming months. The case is the most important abortion-related dispute to reach the high court since the justices overturned Roe v. Wade, a decision that has prompted conservative states to either ban or severely restrict abortion procedures.
The Supreme Court’s decision is a striking defeat for opponents of abortion who have sought to limit access to the drug. The case centres on the scope of the US Food and Drug Administration’s authority to regulate mifepristone, a drug that has been used by millions of women across the country for over two decades. The next step in the litigation will be a hearing in front of a New Orleans-based federal appeals court on May 17.
While the case could potentially come back to the Supreme Court once the Fifth Circuit rules, it is unlikely that anything will change with respect to mifepristone access until and unless the court takes the case on the merits and sides with the challengers. In the meantime, President Joe Biden has praised the decision, saying that mifepristone remains available and approved for safe and effective use while the fight continues in the courts. He has also urged Americans to use their vote as their voice and elect a Congress that will pass a law restoring the protections of Roe v. Wade.
Supporters of abortion pills have reacted positively to the Supreme Court’s decision. Danco Laboratories, the manufacturer of mifepristone, intervened in the case to defend the drug’s approval and cheered the decision for preserving “crucial access to a drug relied on by millions of patients”. However, opponents of abortion have downplayed the order, with Erik Baptist, a lawyer for Alliance Defending Freedom, saying that the case seeking to put women’s health above politics continues on an expedited basis in the lower courts.
The Supreme Court’s decision to freeze lower court rulings and protect access to mifepristone is a significant victory for supporters of abortion rights. However, the dispute over medication abortion is far from over, and how it is ultimately resolved could make it more difficult for women to obtain abortion, even in states that still allow it. For now, though, the Biden administration and supporters of abortion rights can celebrate a significant win in the fight to protect women’s reproductive health.
In a major victory for reproductive rights advocates, the US Supreme Court has ruled to protect access to the abortion pill mifepristone. The decision overturns lower court rulings that would have severely restricted the use of the drug, which is used in medication abortions.
The legal controversy began in November 2020 when a group of doctors who oppose abortion filed suit, arguing that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had not done enough to ensure the safety of the drug when it was approved over two decades ago.
In April 2021, a lower court judge blocked the approval of the drug, as well as changes the FDA made in subsequent years to make the drug more accessible. The judge, a Trump appointee, raised questions about the safety of the drug and used language that is often employed by opponents of abortion.
The Biden administration and Danco, a manufacturer of the drug, filed an appeal with the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals. The appeals court ultimately let stand the government’s approval of the drug, but agreed with the lower court judge that access could be limited.
However, the Supreme Court has now overturned these lower court rulings and upheld the FDA's approval of mifepristone. The decision is being celebrated by reproductive rights advocates, who warn that restrictions on the drug would have a devastating impact on people seeking abortions, particularly those in rural or remote areas.
“Today’s Supreme Court ruling keeps mifepristone lawful and available,” said Evan Masingill, CEO of GenBioPro, the manufacturer of the generic version of the drug. “GenBioPro is continuing to serve its customers and is committed to providing our evidence-based, essential medication to all who need it.”
US Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra praised the decision, saying it was “an important step in the right direction” and that the administration would “vigorously” defend the FDA's authority to regulate prescription drugs.
Despite the Supreme Court's ruling, opponents of abortion are likely to continue their efforts to restrict access to medication abortions. However, for now, reproductive rights advocates can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the vital healthcare needs of those seeking abortions will not be denied.In a major victory for reproductive rights advocates, the US Supreme Court has ruled to protect access to the abortion pill mifepristone. The decision overturns lower court rulings that would have severely restricted the use of the drug, which is used in medication abortions.
The legal controversy began in November 2020 when a group of doctors who oppose abortion filed suit, arguing that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had not done enough to ensure the safety of the drug when it was approved over two decades ago.
In April 2021, a lower court judge blocked the approval of the drug, as well as changes the FDA made in subsequent years to make the drug more accessible. The judge, a Trump appointee, raised questions about the safety of the drug and used language that is often employed by opponents of abortion.
The Biden administration and Danco, a manufacturer of the drug, filed an appeal with the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals. The appeals court ultimately let stand the government’s approval of the drug, but agreed with the lower court judge that access could be limited.
However, the Supreme Court has now overturned these lower court rulings and upheld the FDA's approval of mifepristone. The decision is being celebrated by reproductive rights advocates, who warn that restrictions on the drug would have a devastating impact on people seeking abortions, particularly those in rural or remote areas.
“Today’s Supreme Court ruling keeps mifepristone lawful and available,” said Evan Masingill, CEO of GenBioPro, the manufacturer of the generic version of the drug. “GenBioPro is continuing to serve its customers and is committed to providing our evidence-based, essential medication to all who need it.”
US Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra praised the decision, saying it was “an important step in the right direction” and that the administration would “vigorously” defend the FDA's authority to regulate prescription drugs.
Despite the Supreme Court's ruling, opponents of abortion are likely to continue their efforts to restrict access to medication abortions. However, for now, reproductive rights advocates can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the vital healthcare needs of those seeking abortions will not be denied.