US Approves New Generic Abortion Pill Amid Political Controversy

On October 3, 2025, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new generic version of the abortion medication mifepristone. This move, considered routine in many cases, has nonetheless sparked significant outrage among conservative and anti-abortion groups. The approval was announced after the drugmaker Evita confirmed that the FDA had authorized their generic tablet, which is currently approved for terminating pregnancies up to 70 days of gestation.

Mifepristone is a widely used medication, responsible for the majority of abortions in the US, and also employed in managing early miscarriages. The drug was originally approved by the FDA in 2000, and since then, additional generic versions have entered the market. Usually, approval of these generics is straightforward; however, this recent decision has ignited political and ideological debates.

Several conservative figures and organizations voiced strong opposition. Students for Life Action condemned the FDA’s decision, calling it "a stain on the Trump presidency." Meanwhile, Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, characterized the approval as "reckless" and "unconscionable." Senator Josh Hawley declared he had "lost confidence" in the FDA’s leadership, and former Vice President Mike Pence labeled it a "betrayal" to the pro-life movement that supported President Trump.

This controversy unfolds amid reports that the FDA is reviewing the safety of mifepristone following a letter from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a controversial health figure, and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary. Abortion rights advocates consider these reviews an attempt to undermine access to essential healthcare, especially in states led by Democratic attorneys general who have pledged to ensure the drug remains accessible.

Medical authorities, including the American Medical Association, defend the safety and efficacy of mifepristone, emphasizing that restricting access could jeopardize public health. The medication, typically used in combination with misoprostol to terminate pregnancies, remains a critical component of reproductive healthcare across the country.