US states urge Food and Drug Administration to expand abortion pill accessibility

“The attorneys general of New York, California, Massachusetts, and New Jersey on Thursday asked the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to remove some of the restrictions on access to mifepristone, the so-called “abortion pill.” The four states have requested that the FDA remove the mifepristone risk evaluation and mitigation strategies (REMS) program, “including but not limited to the Prescriber Certification, Pharmacy Certification, and Patient Agreement form.” The states have dubbed these requirements “unnecessary, duplicative, and burdensome.” 

The FDA approved mifepristone (brand name “Mifeprex”) more than 20 years ago based on a comprehensive review of scientific evidence. As of 2016, mifepristone has been deemed safe for use of medical termination of pregnancy up to 70 days of gestation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the public saw great changes to the availability of mifepristone, specifically the ability to receive the pill in the mail for eligible patients. However, the FDA retained all other risk evaluation and mitigation strategies during this time…”