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| Mifepristone: US judge halts approval for abortion pill | Mifepristone: US judge halts approval for abortion pill |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| A Texas judge has revoked the longstanding approval for the widely used abortion drug mifepristone. | A Texas judge has revoked the longstanding approval for the widely used abortion drug mifepristone. |
| The pill has been authorised for over 20 years, and is used in more than half of US pregnancy terminations. | The pill has been authorised for over 20 years, and is used in more than half of US pregnancy terminations. |
| In a 67-page opinion, Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, suspended his own ruling for seven days to allow the government time to appeal. | In a 67-page opinion, Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, suspended his own ruling for seven days to allow the government time to appeal. |
| His decision could limit access to the drug for millions of women. | His decision could limit access to the drug for millions of women. |
| Latest updates and reaction | |
| Abortion pills explained in 60 seconds | |
| A lawsuit filed by an anti-abortion group in Texas, the Alliance Defending Freedom, argued that the drug's safety was never properly studied. | A lawsuit filed by an anti-abortion group in Texas, the Alliance Defending Freedom, argued that the drug's safety was never properly studied. |
| 'Barbaric' abortion law nearly killed these Texas women | |
| 'Barbaric' abortion law nearly killed these Texas women | |
| In his ruling, Judge Kacsmaryk said the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the drug back in 2000 had violated federal rules that allow for accelerated approval of certain drugs. | In his ruling, Judge Kacsmaryk said the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the drug back in 2000 had violated federal rules that allow for accelerated approval of certain drugs. |
| The FDA spent four years reviewing mifepristone before it was approved in 2000. | The FDA spent four years reviewing mifepristone before it was approved in 2000. |
| The decision could further restrict access to abortion nationwide since the US Supreme Court removed constitutional protections for the procedure last year, triggering a wave of state-by-state bans. | The decision could further restrict access to abortion nationwide since the US Supreme Court removed constitutional protections for the procedure last year, triggering a wave of state-by-state bans. |
| Legal analysts said the ruling threatened to upend the entire foundation of America's drug regulatory system. | |
| How safe is the abortion pill mifepristone? | |
| Man sues women for helping ex-wife get abortion | |
| Can these boxes found on US streets save babies’ lives? | |
| Mifepristone, part of a two-drug regimen that induces abortions, effectively stops the pregnancy, while the second drug, misoprostol, empties the uterus. | |
| It was first approved for the termination of pregnancy up until seven weeks gestation. | |
| In 2016, its approved use was extended to 10 weeks of pregnancy. | |
| Mifepristone is also used to treat women who have suffered miscarriages and Cushing syndrome, a hormone-related condition. | |
| The FDA, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists (ACOG) and other mainstream medical organisations say both mifepristone and misoprostol are safe for use. | |
| The FDA has reported a total of 26 deaths associated with the drug since it was approved - a rate of about 0.65 deaths per 100,000 by-pill abortions. | |
| For comparison, the death rate associated with habitual aspirin use is about 15.3 deaths per 100,000 aspirin users. | |
| Related Topics | |
| Abortion | |
| Texas | |
| US politics | |
| United States |