Abortion Pill Update – August 2023

Earlier this year there was a Federal Court Ruling on Mifepristone.  You may recall news regarding this ruling we sent out back in April.  There is an update to the ruling, and I encourage you to read the article written by our affiliate, CareNet, included in this email.  But first, below is some background information.  

Judge Kacsmaryk from the U.S. District Court in Amarillo, TX, handed down a ruling that would restrict the use of Mifepristone for chemical abortions.  Then in response, the U.S. Department of Justice filed an appeal to the Fifth Circuit Court to prevent his ruling from going into effect, while at the same time, other rulings from other states were made in contradiction to the TX ruling.

The Fifth Circuit Court was preliminary, and at that time the FDA already appealed to the US Supreme Court, filing for a stay that would return the abortion pill regulations to where they were before the Fifth Circuit Court ruling.  

Now, here is the update: Two days ago, on August 16th, the US Appeals Court backed the proposed abortion pill restrictions.  A Supreme Court appeal is planned.  Progress has been made in the pro-life favor (praise the Lord!) but we are in another holding pattern until the Supreme Court reviews this case, and no ruling will take effect until that time.

Below are the highlights taken from CareNet’s article.
Backing the proposed abortion pill Mifeprex (or the generic) restrictions means:
– Approved for use up to 49 days (7 weeks) from the LMP
– May only be prescribed by physicians IN PERSON
– 3 office visits required
– May NOT be prescribed via telehealth modalities
– May NOT be sent through the mail, or picked up at pharmacies
“…all of these changes are on hold under the previous SCOTUS ruling, while the court waits to see if the FDA or Danco petitions the court for certiorari. Certiorari is a Latin legal term meaning ‘more fully informed.'”

Here is CareNet’s complete article: “5th Circuit Court Decision on Abortion Pill” or click the button below to access the PDF.