FDA Reassesses Safety of Mifepristone, the Abortion Medication

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced it is conducting a comprehensive review of the safety profile of mifepristone, a medication widely used in abortion procedures for the past 25 years. This review comes amid increasing scrutiny from conservative state attorneys general and anti-abortion groups. The initiative was initiated through a letter from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as reported by CBS News.

The focus of the review is on whether current practices align with FDA safety standards that ensure a drug's benefits outweigh its risks. The agency plans to evaluate the latest data, real-world outcomes, and evidence concerning the drug's safety and effectiveness. This step follows recent regulatory changes by the Biden administration, which in 2023 allowed patients to access mifepristone via mail and telehealth consultations, a move criticized by some conservative voices.

The decision to review the drug was influenced by a study from the Ethics and Public Policy Center (EPPC), which raised concerns about potential dangers when mifepristone is provided without adequate medical support or supervision. The study referenced FDA data indicating 2,740 adverse events from 2000 to 2012, including 416 cases requiring blood transfusions. The EPPC estimates that nearly 11% of women experience serious adverse effects, though other sources dispute this figure.

Medical experts, including CBS News contributor Dr. Céline Gounder, suggest the actual rate of serious complications is likely much lower, possibly less than 1 in 200 cases. Advocates for continued use of mifepristone emphasize its proven safety record, citing over 100 studies and the fact that more than 7.5 million women have used the drug since its FDA approval in 2000. It remains approved for use up to 10 weeks of gestation.

While the review could result in modifications to how the drug is prescribed—such as restricting its availability through telehealth or limiting the types of providers authorized to dispense it—experts believe a complete ban or withdrawal of approval is improbable. Dr. Gounder noted that such a move would be extraordinary and likely face immediate legal challenges.

Although no specific timeline has been provided for the completion of this review, Kennedy assured that the FDA would keep states informed as the process advances. The outcome of this investigation could influence future policies regarding medication abortion access in the United States.

For more information, the U.S. National Library of Medicine provides details about mifepristone at https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a600042/.