Concerns are mounting over the safety of the abortion pill mifepristone as new research has brought troubling findings to light. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has now announced it is reviewing how the drug is regulated and labeled following these emerging safety worries.
More Women Facing Serious Health Issues Than Previously Reported
According to a recent study conducted by the Ethics and Public Policy Center, more than 10% of women who take mifepristone to end a pregnancy experience serious health complications within 45 days of use.
This rate of adverse effects is reportedly 22 times higher than what the FDA’s official drug label currently suggests.
Government Leaders Demand Answers and Action
At a Senate Health Committee hearing, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, expressed his alarm at the findings.
When questioned by Senator Josh Hawley, Kennedy admitted the situation “clearly indicates that, at very least, the label should be changed.”
He also revealed that he has instructed FDA director Marty Makary to conduct a thorough review of mifepristone’s safety profile and report back promptly.
Calls to Reinstate Stricter Safety Regulations Grow Louder
Meanwhile, more than 100 organizations have signed an open letter demanding that the FDA reinstate stricter safety measures that were rolled back during the Obama and Biden administrations.
These rollbacks included eliminating requirements for in-person prescriptions, mandatory provider follow-ups, and doctor involvement during the chemical abortion process.
The coalition, which includes groups like Americans United for Life and the American Association of Pro-Life OBGYNs, argues that the evidence shows mifepristone to be “unacceptably dangerous.”
The letter states that removing safety protections has put American women at risk.
The Debate Continues Over Abortion Pill Safety
As the FDA undertakes its review, the conversation around the abortion pill’s safety is heating up.
With millions of women potentially impacted, many eyes are on how regulators will respond to these new safety concerns and whether policies will be adjusted to better protect users.
