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Planned Parenthood Alaska Statement on Mifepristone Lawsuit

For Immediate Release: April 12, 2023 (Updated: April 12, 2023, 5:13 p.m.)


ANCHORAGE, AK — Earlier today, a federal judge in Texas ruled to rescind the FDA’s approval of mifepristone, one of two medications most commonly used in a medication abortion. This ruling will go into effect in seven days, and advocates expect the federal government to appeal the ruling to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals during that time. If the ruling is allowed to go into effect, it will trigger a nationwide ban on mifepristone, even in states like Alaska where abortion is legal. 

Medication abortion will continue to be available in Alaska. If eventually required, Planned Parenthood health centers in Alaska are prepared to switch to providing misoprostol-only medication abortion. Misoprostol-only medication abortion is a safe and effective alternative to the combination of mifepristone and misoprostol. Misoprostol-only abortion is 85-95% effective. 

Statement by Rebecca Gibron, CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawai’i, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky: 

“Everyone should have the ability to make their own decisions about their body, life, and future. For over 20 years, mifepristone has helped expand access to abortion care, allowing patients to make their own private medical decisions. The decision to rescind the FDA’s approval of mifepristone was a purely political one made by an activist conservative judge, with a goal of making it harder to access medication abortion. 

“But let me be clear: Today’s decision has not and will not impact access to medication abortion in Alaska. Patients can still come to us for safe, effective medication abortion. We are prepared to continue providing care no matter the final ruling in this case. We won’t let this decision stop us from providing safe, legal abortion care.” 

Additional information on mifepristone: 

Mifepristone is used in more than half of abortion procedures nationwide. It is safe, effective, and has been used by more than 4 million people since the FDA approved it more than 20 years ago. There is overwhelming evidence that medication abortion is safe and effective for virtually anyone who wants to end an early pregnancy. Still, access to mifepristone is under attack by extreme minorities who care more about controlling your reproductive choices than they do about science and medicine

Our Planned Parenthood health centers in Alaska are ready to provide care, and our patient navigators are available to answer patient questions about misoprostol-only medication abortion and how this case may affect them. Anyone who needs care should call 1-800-230-7526. Patient navigators are ready to help.

 

Planned Parenthood delivers vital reproductive health care, sex education, and information to millions of people worldwide. Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit under EIN 13-1644147. Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable under the law. Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawai’i, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, or sex. Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawai’i, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, or sex.

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