Mifepristone (L) and misoprostol tablets.Photo: ELISA WELLS/PLAN C/AFP via Getty
The decision immediatelymakes permanent the system that was set up at the start of the COVID-19 pandemicto allow patients to get abortion pills after a telemedicine visit rather than going to a doctor’s office. It also extends the availability of abortions as the Supreme Court looks likely to overturn the 1973Roe v. Wadedecision that made abortions legal across the United States.
With abortion pills, patients can undergo a medical abortion at their homes up through 10 weeks of pregnancy. The first take the drug mifepristone, which stops pregnancy from continuing, and then up to 48 hours later take misoprostol, which causes uterine contractions. In combination, the two end the pregnancy.
The decision also does not change the limits on abortion in states like Texas,which has banned the procedure after more than six weeks of pregnancy.
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On Thursday, Planned Parenthood celebrated the FDA’s announcement, calling it a “victory for public health and health equity.”
“We’ve seen very clearly in the past two years that the logistical hurdle of unnecessary travel to health centers during a dangerous pandemic only creates more barriers to care, especially for people of color and people with low incomes. Abortion is time-sensitive, essential health care, and this decision will remove a sometimes insurmountable barrier for patients seeking an abortion,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood,in a statement. “With abortion rights at risk like never before, the FDA’s decision is a long overdue step toward expanding people’s access to safe medication abortion.”
source: people.com
