Mifepristone is back in headlines as courts, regulators and retailers clash over abortion-pill access; developed as RU-486 for medical abortion.
A Louisiana judge declined to block telehealth prescriptions for mifepristone, citing ongoing FDA reviews. The case highlights tensions between state bans and federal regulations, with legal challenges and political implications ongoing as anti-abortion groups push for restrictions.
The Supreme Court is weighing an emergency petition to pause a Fifth Circuit ruling that would restrict mifepristone access, while allowing telemedicine and mail delivery to continue for now. The government and manufacturers urge a rapid decision, as lower-court moves threaten broad abortion access.
The Supreme Court has issued an emergency order keeping mifepristone available by mail and via telehealth while litigation continues. The action preserves access as lawsuits challenge FDA rules on prescribing the abortion pill, with a ruling likely not until next year.