Federal Judge Suspends FDA Approval of Widely Used Abortion Pill

A federal judge has suspended the FDA's approval of mifepristone, a key abortion pill, but has given the government seven days to appeal. The decision could impact access to medication abortions nationwide, leaving surgical procedures or off-label use of misoprostol as the only options in states where abortion is legal. The ruling was challenged by a coalition of anti-abortion groups who argue that the government did not adequately assess the drug's safety and should not have made it accessible via telehealth during the pandemic. The Supreme Court is likely to have the final word on whether the Texas ruling goes into effect.