Abortion Pills

The Story

Access to abortion pills has become one of the latest battles in the fight over reproductive healthcare — and it could come to a head this week.

Tell me.

Currently, the fate of mifepristone — the first of two medications used to end pregnancies — is in the hands of one federal judge in Texas. That’s because, in November, a group of anti-abortion advocates filed a lawsuit challenging the decades-old FDA approval of the drug. They said the agency chose “politics over science” and used an accelerated drug review process. In response, FDA called the lawsuit “extraordinary and unprecedented,” adding that the drug’s approval came about four years after the manufacturer filed the initial application. The American Medical Association said that taking the pill off the market would have a “severe, almost unimaginable cost.”

What happens next?

The judge could make a decision as early as Friday. If he sides with the anti-abortion group, the FDA would have to pull the drug from the market nationwide. His decision could also impact the White House’s recent efforts to expand access to medication abortions — like allowing pharmacies to offer pills directly to patients. That would leave abortion care providers with two options: a misoprostol-only regimen or surgical abortions. Pulling the drug would mean that 40 million women could lose access to abortion care. Keep in mind: Even if the judge sides with the FDA, many states in the US already have restrictions on medication abortions. Many experts say more could be on the way. So in the meantime, some doctors and abortion advocates are reportedly urging people to pre-order and stockpile abortion pills while they still can.