The Food and Drug Administration has begun a safety study of the abortion pill mifepristone, according to The Wall Street Journal, a move that could shape future federal policy on its regulation and distribution.
The review comes as calls for tighter restrictions on the abortion drug have increased among Republican lawmakers and pro-life organizations, particularly regarding its availability through telehealth and mail-order prescribing. Supporters of tighter rules argue remote access reduces medical safeguards, while abortion-rights advocates maintain that mifepristone has been repeatedly shown to be safe and effective.
According to the report, FDA officials say the study will rely on existing drug-safety monitoring systems and is intended to withstand ongoing legal scrutiny related to the drug’s regulatory framework. The agency has not indicated it is considering removing the drug from the market.
Mifepristone remains FDA-approved and is used in the majority of abortions in the United States. The agency continues to state it is safe when used as directed, with preliminary findings expected later this year.
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