Court rules abortion pill is still allowed in the U.S. but restrictions apply
Controversial abortion pill mifepristone is set to remain available in the United States for now, but restrictions will apply.
A federal appeals court has ruled patients must attend in-person doctor visits to obtain the drug.
Last Friday, a judge in Texas completely suspended the Food and Drug Administration’s approval for the pill while hearing a lawsuit by anti-abortion groups seeking to ban it.
But a New Orleans-based court put part of this order on hold.
However, the appeals court stopped short of blocking portions of the order which effectively reinstate restrictions on the pill’s distribution.
These have been lifted since 2016.
In addition to the new requirement of three in-person doctor visits, the restrictions also include limiting the drug’s use to the first seven weeks of pregnancy, down from the current 10.
The Biden administration, the anti-abortion groups or both could now appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
