Texas Judge Issues Ruling in Medication Abortion Case

Even with a judge’s decision on medication abortion, alternate medications will be available to patients

St. Paul, MN— On Friday, a judge issued a decision in a case against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration over its approval of mifepristone, one of two medications most commonly used in medication abortion in the United States. The federal district court judge issued his ruling in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. U.S. Food and Drug Administration – the case that could seriously disrupt access to medication abortion nationwide. The judge granted a preliminary injunction staying the FDA’s approval of mifepristone but the ruling does not go into effect for at least 7 days allowing the federal government the opportunity to appeal the ruling. The approval of mifepristone REMAINS INTACT at least until April 14, 2023. Even if mifepristone is taken off the market, alternate medications are available to complete abortions.

Statement from Planned Parenthood North Central States president and CEO, Ruth Richardson:  

“Mifepristone is safe, effective, and has been used by more than five million people since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved it more than 20 years ago. Mifepristone has helped ensure that patients are able to make their own private medical decisions, and it has expanded access to reproductive health care — something that is very clearly under threat in this country. With a safety record of over 99%, there is overwhelming evidence that medication abortion is safe and effective for anyone who wants to end an early pregnancy.

Today’s decision is part of a coordinated effort to make it harder to access medication abortions. If this decision stands, it will serve to further exacerbate health inequities as alternative medications are known to cause more significant side effects.

I want to be sure that all patients know that mifepristone remains available for the next week. Patients can still get their medication abortion in the next week with mifepristone, and moving forward we have an alternate medication regimen if mifepristone is no longer available.

While we have an alternate option for medication abortion, these choices should be made between a patient and a doctor. We’ll keep working to provide expert sexual and reproductive health care to every person.” 

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Planned Parenthood North Central States and its subsidiary organizations provide, promote, and protect reproductive and sexual health through high quality care, education and advocacy. A member of America’s most trusted reproductive health care provider, our affiliate is proud to support and operate 28 health centers across our five-state region (Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota).  Each year, we provide health care to nearly 115,000 people and health education to more than 55,000 people in our region.