FDA may allow abortion pill to be sent through the mail instead of administered in person

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News)- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday, December 16 faces a deadline by which it must finish a review that could result in permanently easing restrictions on the abortion pill mifepristone, allowing doctors to send the drug by mail instead of administering it to women in person, NPR reports.

Prior to the pandemic, mifepristone could only lawfully be administered in person. However, in light of COVID-19 restrictions, the Biden administration is currently allowing it to be sent in the mail, NPR said. In pressing for the FDA to permanently remove the in-person regulation for mifepristone, medical and rights groups had resorted to litigation.

Following a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union, the FDA agreed to review the in-person regulation and report on its determination, NPR reports. The lawsuit points out that major medical organizations, including the American Medical Association, attest that mifepristone has developed a strong safety record since the FDA approved it for use in 2000.

However, faith groups are concerned that abolishing the regulation will place women at risk of misusing it and suffering severe health complications as a result.

Together with another drug, mifepristone is used to end pregnancies at up to 10 weeks gestation; around 40% of abortions in the US are carried out through taking it.

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