The US Supreme Court upholds access to the abortion pill mifepristone

The Supreme Court of the United States on Friday ruled on the access to the abortion pill mifepristone, temporarily suspend the restrictions that an appeals court ordered last week.

The decision presupposes leave the “status quo” regarding access to medication unchangedat least while the appeals court rules on the legality of the approval US regulators gave the drug more than 20 years ago.

The appropriate appeals court — that of the Fifth Circuit, which includes the states of Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi — approved restricting access to mifepristone as it reviewed a Texas judge’s decision to completely ban access to the pill , That used in more than half of the country’s abortions.

The ruling is the first time the Supreme Court has ruled on an abortion-related case following its controversial decision last summer in remove constitutional protections which it has enjoyed since the 1970s, triggering an avalanche of restrictions in conservative-ruled states.

The Supreme Court ruling doesn’t mean mifepristone can be prescribed in states that have banned abortion, though does ensure access to the drugincluding by mail, will remain as before, at least until the appeal is resolved.

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In a message honoring the Supreme Court’s decision, US President Joe Bidennoted that “mifepristone remains available and approved for safe and effective use as we continue our court battle.”

The president assured that his administration will continue to defend regulators’ approval of mifepristone, stating that it will “continue to combat politically motivated attacks on women’s health”.

The Planned Parenthood organizationwhich runs the country’s largest network of reproductive health clinics celebrated Friday’s decision but warned that women’s health should not be left at the mercy of the justice system.