Maryland State has announced its possession of two-and-a-half years worth of a widely used abortion drug. The state decided to stockpile mifepristone in April after a federal judge in Texas temporarily stopped the use of the drug, stating the Food and Drug Administration improperly approved it 23 years ago.
In the latest statement, Gov. Wes Moore announced the decision to stockpile the drug in conjunction with the University of Maryland Medical Center. The decision aimed to maintain the medication’s supply amid fears that it could become unavailable on the market.
Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman, MDH’s deputy secretary for public health services, stated, “We made that decision based on both how we do stockpiles in general, and also expiration dates of the medications. We believe that will give us enough time if the landscape changes on us to be able to provide that medication while we look for more than two- or three-year solutions.”
Maryland spent around $1.2 million dollars on the stockpile. The state funds from the Board of Public Works are covering the cost.
Mifepristone is a medication widely used in the United States to terminate early pregnancies. The FDA approved it 23 years ago. The medication blocks the hormone progesterone, which helps to sustain a pregnancy. Misoprostol, another drug, administered a few days later, can cause contractions, effectively ending the early pregnancy.
The decision to stockpile the drug was to avoid any possible supply disruptions as the medication is widely used. Abortion has been a topic of controversy in the United States for years. Many conservative states have passed strict abortion laws limiting access to the procedure.
The United States Food and Drug Administration has been repeatedly challenged over its approval of the drug. Anti-abortion groups criticize its efficacy, safety, and legality. In September 2019, the FDA added warning labels to the medication, stating that it sometimes caused serious adverse effects.
Maryland’s decision to stockpile the drug could signal their readiness for potential supply disruptions and maintain a steady supply for those who seek an abortion.
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