Refinitiv Newscasts - US appeals court maintains abortion pill's approval for now

National Presto Industries

13/04/2023 20:41

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Source: Thomson Reuters

Description: A U.S. appeals court ruled that abortion pill mifepristone will
remain accessible in the market for now, but with significant restrictions, as
anti-abortion groups mount legal challenge in a bid to ban the drug entirely.
Kristy Kilburn reports.
Short Link: https://refini.tv/41obUqw

Video Transcript:

A commonly used abortion pill will remain available in the United States, for
now, as anti-abortion groups fight to ban the drug entirely. A federal appeals
court ruled late on Wednesday that mifepristone will, however, come with
significant limits, including a requirement for in-person doctor visits to
obtain it. The pill is used in more than half of all abortions in the US and
The New Orelean-based 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has now blocked a Texas
court order to suspend it from last Friday. The latest judicial ruling came
after two lower courts issued contradictory orders over the status and
distribution of the drug. Last Friday, District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk in
Amarillo, Texas ruled to suspend mifepristone’s 23-year-old approval by
the Food and Drug Administration as a lawsuit by some anti-abortion groups was
pending. On the same day, a separate federal judge in Washington state
announced a different ruling, demanding the FDA maintain access to the pill
with no new restrictions. However, Wednesday’s ruling of a higher court
declined to block portions of the Texas order, set to take effect on Friday.
On top of requiring three doctors’ visits, the drug will also be limited
to use in the first seven weeks of pregnancy from the current ten weeks. The
lawsuit against the FDA by the groups argued that the agency used an improper
process when it approved mifepristone in 2000 and inadequately considered the
safety of the pill. The FDA has said it stands behind its determination that
the oral medication is safe and effective. The FDA and lawyers for the
anti-abortion groups could not immediately be reached for comment. Both the
5th Circuit's ruling and the ruling in Washington are likely to be subject to
further appeals