US Supreme Court invalidates limitations on abortion pill access.
In the ruling, it's mentioned that the plaintiffs have to tackle their concerns about Mifepristone's use with the executive or legislative branch. Federal courts aren't the right setting for this matter.
In the US, anti-abortion activists are attempting to limit nationwide access to the drug Mifepristone, which is generally used in America under the name Mifegyne in Germany. Mifepristone is utilized in most abortions in the US, and the FDA approved its use in 2016.
A year ago, a conservative US district judge nominated under Trump's presidency ruled to forbid Mifepristone. However, an appeal court reversed the total prohibition due to the expiration of the deadline for challenging the FDA's approval. The appeal court, though, restricted access to the drug.
Among other limitations, the appeal court shortened the period in which Mifepristone could be administered from ten to seven weeks of pregnancy and prohibited its shipment through the mail.
In June 2022, the Supreme Court caused a political upheaval with its controversial decision to revoke the landmark judgment Roe v. Wade from 1973, which recognized a constitutional right to abortion in the U.S. Around 20 states have now prohibited or limited abortions.
Surveys indicate that the majority of Americans back continued access to secure abortions. In contrast, conservatives are working to curb or completely outlaw them. Abortion is most likely to be a significant concern in the US presidential election in November.
Read also:
- Despite the Supreme Court's decision to invalidate restrictions on the abortion pill's access, anti-abortion activists in the USA continue their efforts to limit its nationwide use.
- In 2021, a conservative judge in the USA, appointed under Trump's presidency, attempted to ban Mifepristone, but an appeal court overturned the total prohibition due to the expiration of the challenge deadline against the FDA's approval.
- The appeal court, however, imposed certain restrictions on Mifepristone's use, such as limiting its administration period to seven weeks of pregnancy and prohibiting its shipping by mail.
- Organizations in Germany and the USA, including the FDA, argue for easy access to Mifepristone, citing its widespread use in most American abortions (under the name Mifegyne in Germany) and its FDA approval in 2016.
- The USA's Supreme Court, or the US Supreme Court, upheld a challenge to Texas's 2013 restrictions on the use of Mifepristone in a 2016 decision, which paved the way for federal courts to continue challenging other limitations on the abortion pill's access.
- As a result of the Supreme Court's 2022 decision to revoke Roe v. Wade, a constitutional right to abortion in the USA, several states have enacted or are considering legislation to restrict or ban abortions, potentially putting additional focus on the ongoing debate around Mifepristone restrictions.
