A US appeals court ruled on Wednesday that the abortion pill mifepristone may remain on the market for the time being. However, the federal appeals court in New Orleans, Louisiana, tightened the conditions under which the drug can be prescribed.
In medical practices, the pill may therefore only be prescribed in the first seven weeks of pregnancy. Previously, the period was set to the first ten weeks of pregnancy. Under the new rules, patients must also appear in person at the practice three times during the statute of limitations.
The Court of Appeal ruled by a two-to-one judge majority. The panel of judges overturned the earlier decision of a Texas federal judge seeking to revoke approval for mifepristone (krone.at reported). However, the decision is only preliminary and the legal dispute is likely to drag on for a long time.
Approval withdrawn last week
Conservative federal judge Matthew Kacsmaryk last Friday revoked approval of mifepristone that was granted more than 20 years ago (krone.at reported). For example, he upheld a lawsuit brought against the FDA by anti-abortion activists. The US government subsequently opposed the entry into force of this decision.
It is expected that the final decision on the abortion pill will ultimately be made by the Supreme Court in Washington. There, the conservative camp has a clear majority of six out of nine judges after several new appointments during the tenure of former US President Donald Trump.
Controversial socio-political issue
Abortion rights are one of the most controversial socio-political issues in the United States. The country’s Supreme Court last June struck down the country’s basic right to abortion — a ruling that sparked a political earthquake.
Mifepristone, known in Austria under the trade name Mifegyne, is used in more than every second abortion in the US. According to the FDA, more than 5.6 million women have used the pill since it was approved in 2000.
In fewer than 1,500 cases, there were complications unrelated to mifepristone, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
