U.S. District Judge’s Ruling to Stay FDA Approval of Abortion Drug Mifepristone Likely to Reach Supreme Court

A federal judge’s ruling to stay the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of the abortion drug mifepristone is likely to be taken to the Supreme Court. The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, was made in response to a lawsuit brought by anti-abortion groups in Texas.

The groups had argued that the FDA had ignored safety risks when they originally approved the drug, a claim which the agency has strongly denied. Judge Kacsmaryk’s order invalidates the FDA’s 23-year-old approval of mifepristone, and the anti-abortion groups have urged the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to let the ruling stand.

The ruling does not completely ban the drug, but it does remove it from the mails and the market. The groups argue that no harm will result from the appeals court allowing the ruling to stand.

The FDA has not yet commented on the ruling, but it is likely that the case will be taken to the Supreme Court. This ruling could have a significant impact on access to the medication, and the outcome of the case will be closely watched by both sides of the abortion debate.