As U.S. Supreme Court Temporarily Halts Court Ruling Banning Mifepristone, Planned Parenthood Great Plains Will Continue to Offer Drug as Part of Medication Abortion Services
For Immediate Release: April 14, 2023
Today, the U.S. Supreme Court weighed in on the ruling out of a Texas Federal Court last week that blocked the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of Mifepristone, one of two medications commonly used in medication abortion care. The Supreme Court granted an administrative stay, meaning neither the Texas court nor the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals decisions are in effect until at least Wednesday, April 19.
In the case, Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine et al v. U.S. Food and Drug Administration et al, Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk took unprecedented action on April 7, to block FDA approval of Mifepristone. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals then kept part of the ruling in place but removed certain restrictions on the drug. First approved more than 20 years ago, if either decision is allowed to go into effect, it would make Mifepristone unavailable to patients across the country, despite its safety record.
In response to today’s ruling, PPGP will continue to offer medication abortion using Mifepristone as part of a two-drug regimen at its Kansas health centers and will monitor for any changes in the case that could impact abortion services.
Statement from Emily Wales, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood Great Plains:
"For our patients, who have been thrown into confusion and chaos created by a politically motivated court ruling last week, this latest development offers at least some relief that medication abortion care will continue using the extremely safe protocol that has long been provided. But the fear and anxiety our patients are feeling is real and unnecessary, brought about by anti-abortion extremists who don’t care about science, safety, or facts. This small victory does not take away from the fact that we need long-term relief that affirms what we know to be true – Mifepristone is safe and effective, as proven by the rigorous FDA approval process. In the meantime, we’ll continue doing what we always do, providing essential health care including medication abortion.”