The U.S. Supreme Court has allowed broad access to the medical abortion drug mifepristone to be temporarily maintained, including via telemedicine, mail, and pharmacies. This was reported by the Associated Press, according to UNN.
Details
The ruling blocks restrictions previously imposed by a federal appeals court and allows patients to obtain the drug without an in-person visit to a doctor.
The order was signed by Justice Samuel Alito. It will remain in effect for at least a week, pending further consideration of the case by the court.
Significance of the Decision
Mifepristone is a key drug for medication abortion, typically used in combination with misoprostol.
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According to experts, the majority of abortions in the U.S. are performed using pills rather than surgical procedures. In some states, telemedicine has become the primary means of accessing such services, especially following the tightening of abortion restrictions.
Legal Context
The restrictions were initiated as part of a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's rules regarding the prescription of mifepristone.
Critics of the drug question its safety, although the regulator and scientific studies have repeatedly confirmed its effectiveness.
The Supreme Court's decision gives the parties additional time for arguments before the final consideration of the case.