Planned Parenthood Affiliates Respond to Ruling About Mifepristone

Planned Parenthood Affiliates Respond to Ruling About Mifepristone

Medication abortion still legal and available at Planned Parenthood health centers in Virginia

CONTACT: 

• Virginia League for Planned Parenthood: RaeAnn Pickett, [email protected], 202-378-3526
• Planned Parenthood South Atlantic: Molly Rivera, [email protected]
• Planned Parenthood Metro Washington: [email protected]

Richmond, Va  — Friday evening, a federal judge in Texas blocked the FDA's original approval of mifepristone, one of two medications most commonly used in medication abortion. The decision in the case, Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine et al v. U.S. Food and Drug Administration et al, is the first time in history that a federal court has ordered the FDA to revoke approval of a drug over objections from the FDA and the manufacturer. The decision does not take effect for seven days in order to allow the FDA to appeal it.

Mifepristone was first approved by the FDA more than 20 years ago and has since been used by more than five million people to safely end their pregnancies. It is used in more than half of abortions nationwide and has a safety record of over 99%.

Medication abortion remains legal and available in Virginia, and Planned Parenthood health centers across this region will continue to provide medication abortion to patients while they await further guidance from the FDA.

“Planned Parenthood remains committed to ensuring patients can access the abortion method of their choice with as few unnecessary barriers as possible. Mifepristone is safely used in more than half of abortions nationwide. The Texas court’s decision compromises access for millions of patients across the country, including several thousand Virginians, who rely on this medication to safely manage their miscarriages or end their pregnancies,” said Paulette McElwain, President and CEO of The Virginia League for Planned Parenthood (VLPP). “VLPP is committed to continuing to provide each patient with the high-quality health care they need and deserve.” 

“The impact of today’s ruling is unconscionable. Mifepristone is an extremely safe and effective medication used everyday for basic health care, and it should be more accessible, not less,” said Laura Meyers, Ph.D., President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, DC (PPMW). “PPMW is committed to continuing to provide care to patients in Northern Virginia, no matter what. Despite today’s impact on the use of mifepristone, our doors remain open for patients seeking medication abortion and other reproductive health services.”

“Let’s be clear: Mifepristone is safe, effective, and has been used by more than five million people since the FDA approved it more than 20 years ago,” said Anne Logan Bass, a nurse practitioner at Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, which operates health centers in Charlottesville and Roanoke. “Wherever possible, we are committed to ensuring patients can choose the method of abortion that is best for their circumstances.”

For two decades, mifepristone has been used by more than five million people to safely end their pregnancies. Mifepristone is used in more than half of abortion procedures nationwide and has a safety record of over 99%.

Misoprostol is used for courses of care in reproductive health, including abortion, miscarriage management, and IUD insertions. Abortion providers in the United States have been routinely using misoprostol-only medication abortion for many years as an additional option for patients. 

Misoprostol-only medication abortion works to end the pregnancy about 85-95% of the time, whereas with mifepristone and misoprostol, it is 87-99% of the time. With either type of medication abortion, when the medications don’t work, an in-clinic abortion may be needed to end the pregnancy. 

To learn more about medication abortion, click here.

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The Virginia League for Planned Parenthood (VLPP) provides high-quality, affordable reproductive health care, education programs, and outreach to over four million people in the Commonwealth. VLPP is committed to ensuring reproductive freedom and reproductive health services through health centers it operates in Richmond, Hampton, and Virginia Beach.