Court Limits Access to Abortion Pill

A federal appeals court has restricted access to mifepristone, a common abortion pill, by requiring in-person distribution at clinics. The ruling impacts mail prescriptions, especially following the overturn of Roe v Wade. The decision is expected to affect abortion and miscarriage care across the United States.

A federal appeals court has issued a ruling restricting access to mifepristone, a drug commonly used for abortions, by mandating its distribution only in-person at clinics.

The New Orleans-based 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals' decision directly hinders the mailing of mifepristone prescriptions, which has become prevalent since the 2022 Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v Wade. The court emphasized that the FDA's allowance for mailing prescriptions conflicts with Louisiana’s abortion policies.

Experts, such as ACLU lawyer Julia Kaye, caution that this will limit abortion and miscarriage care nationwide, disproportionately affecting rural communities, low-income individuals, and minority groups.