Jarvis: The FDA's mifepristone decision has baffled both sides

"The Food and Drug Administration's recent approval of a second generic version of the abortion pill mifepristone has left people on both sides of the reproductive rights fight scrambling to interpret the decision. Could this be a sign that the Trump administration isn't interested in taking federal action to further restrict abortion access"

"Indecipherable to all In reality, nobody knows what the FDA's approval signifies if it signifies anything at all. What we do know is that antiabortion groups are capitalizing on the moment to increase pressure on the Trump administration to take more decisive action on mifepristone. It's become another talking point in their relentless campaign to make it harder for women to access the drug (ideally, they'd like it taken off the market) and another opportunity to spread misinformation about its safety."

The FDA approved a second generic version of mifepristone, producing uncertainty about federal intentions on abortion restrictions. Antiabortion groups are using the approval to press the administration for more decisive action and to amplify claims about the drug's safety. Mifepristone is part of a two-drug regimen that can terminate a pregnancy up to 11 weeks and became essential after Roe v. Wade was overturned. The FDA relaxed prescribing and dispensing rules, allowing mail delivery after telehealth visits. In 2023 mifepristone accounted for about 63% of U.S. abortions, and by late 2024 one in four abortions was accessed via telehealth.

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