In a decision that could limit access to the drug nationwide, a Texas judge heard arguments about whether a commonly used abortion pill should be sold in the United States. Mifepristone, a pill that can be taken at home, is used in more than half of all pregnancy terminations in the United States.
A claim documented by an enemy of fetus removal bunch in Texas contends that the medication’s wellbeing was rarely appropriately considered. Mifepristone has been used legally for more than two decades.
Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk will make the decision in the case. It comes after the US Supreme Court made a historic decision last year that overturned the right to abortion that is outlined in the Constitution. He said that he would issue his ruling as soon as possible following the four-hour hearing on Wednesday, March 15th 2023.
The anti-abortion organization Alliance for Hippocratic medicine has filed a lawsuit in Texas arguing that the drug should be taken off the market for three different reasons.
First, according to the lawsuit, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made a mistake when it approved the pill under a clause that was meant to expedite drugs used to treat life-threatening illnesses. Second, it argues that mifepristone was approved by the FDA prior to adequate testing.
Three, it contends that it against the law against the law to send the medication under the Comstock Act, an 1873 regulation that prohibited the posting of early termination drugs. However, in December of last year, the Office of Legal Counsel of the United States Department of Justice issued an opinion stating that the Comstock Act does not prevent the mailing of medication for legal use in abortion.
The Washington Post reports that Judge Kacsmaryk said in court that the FDA’s approval process was moving faster. Before the drug was approved in 2000, the FDA reviewed it for four years.
