The Supreme Court is currently considering the overturning of the FDA’s approval of mifepristone, which has been in use for over 20 years. This drug, along with misoprostol, is one of two medications approved by the FDA for medication abortions. Harry Nelson, a health care attorney, has expressed concern about the possibility of federal courts overriding the FDA’s decision.
Mifepristone is a one-dose pill that is only approved for patients up to 10 weeks pregnant. It affects progesterone, a hormone critical in menstruation and pregnancy. Ushma Upadhyay, a professor and public health scientist, has emphasized the safety and effectiveness of medication abortion, citing over 100 publications and 20 years of evidence.
In addition to medication abortions, mifepristone is used for treating miscarriages, uterine fibroids, and Cushing’s syndrome. It is an essential option for patients as alternatives like misoprostol alone or surgical procedures carry higher health risks. Nelson has cautioned that certain outcomes from the court could set a dangerous precedent regarding politics in the drug approval process.
Recent research has indicated that after the overturning of Roe v. Wade, there was a significant increase in self-managed medication abortions. Telehealth abortion services have become crucial for patients facing time constraints as the FDA restricts the use of mifepristone to the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. The Supreme Court’s stance on this issue is under scrutiny with many expressing skepticism about the challenge to abortion pills.
