MSI comment on decision to block FDA approval of mifepristone

Last Friday, a US federal judge moved to block the approval of mifepristone, one of two drugs used in more than half of all abortions in the United Statesⁱ. 

Since it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) more than 20 years ago, more than 5 millionⁱⁱ people in the U.S. have used mifepristone alongside the drug misoprostol to safely end their pregnancies.  

The ruling has been appealed by the Biden Administration, but if allowed to go into effect, it means that from Friday 14th April, mifepristone would no longer be approved by the FDA nationwide, even in states where abortion is legal. This would severely limit access to this essential medicine. 

Dhammika Perera, MSI Reproductive Choices’ Global Medical Director said:   

“This outrageous ruling is an attempt to deny millions of people across the United States access to an essential medicine. This decision is based purely on ideology and ignores decades’ worth of global evidence, data, and best practice.

“While blocking mifepristone would be devastating, it does not spell the end of access to medical abortion in the US. Mifepristone is one of two abortion drugs, but in higher doses the second pill, misoprostol, can be safely and effectively used on its ownⁱⁱⁱ. But be under no illusion, the overturning of Roe v Wade was just the beginning. As the organised rollback of reproductive healthcare and women’s rights continues in the US, we urge the courts to overturn this dangerous decision.” 

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i https://www.guttmacher.org/article/2022/02/medication-abortion-now-accounts-more-half-all-us-abortions  

ii download (fda.gov) 

iii https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6309472/