District Court Judge Likely to Ban Abortion Pill Nationwide

Texas District Court Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk is likely to strike down the FDA’s approval of the abortion pill mifepristone. If the Trump-appointed judge grants a nationwide injunction, mifepristone would be banned across the United States. If drug access is not limited, rules would likely be reinstated that women desiring an abortion can only receive the pills from a physician.

The Alliance Defending Freedom advocacy group brought this case to the district court claiming that the FDA’s fast-tracked approval of the drug “exceeded its regulatory authority”. Additionally, the group is arguing that they broke their legal responsibility to “protect the health, safety, and welfare” of pregnant women by “ignoring” evidence of the pill’s harmful nature.

Mifepristone is the first of two pills that make up the abortion pill process. It is taken sequentially with Misoprostol. The two pills target different aspects of the embryo’s development. Mifepristone cuts off the nutrient supply to the developing embryo and Misoprostol causes the uterus to expel it.

This likely decision comes after the 2021 ruling which expanded abortion pill access. The recent FDA decision made pills more accessible via telemedicine, mail delivery, and pharmacy pickup. Abortion pills account for more than half of abortions nationwide.

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While 18 states in the US already have restrictions on abortion pills, this ruling would deny abortion pill access to people living in Democrat-controlled states. In response to the possible ruling, pro-abortion voices have been urging women to stockpile pills. Additionally, pro-abortion-funded courses now teach a workaround that uses Misoprostol only. They also are vocalizing their hopes to expand emergency clinic access, making it clear that the workaround would create damaging physical effects on the women who partake.

This decision would be a win for pro-life groups who have been focusing on the dangerous abortion pill for years. It follows Dobbs v. Jackson in the attempt to eliminate legal abortions in America.

rjames