[News] US drug regulators permanently allow mail-order abortion pills, say women can receive abortion consultations online

US drug regulators have permanently approved the mail-order of abortion pills.

During the pandemic, the US made a temporary rule allowing women to get the pills through mail order but the rule has now been made permanent by the US Food and Drug administration (FDA)

The decision from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will open abortion access to women in remote places unable to visit clinics to get them in person.

But the move will not be allowed in 19  US states that already have rules banning mail-order abortion pills.

 

This also comes as the US supreme court considers overturning the ruling that legalised US abortion.

The US Supreme Court is considerimg alt=’US drug regulators permanently allow mail-order abortion pills, say women can receive abortion consultations online’ class=’img-responsive text-center’ style=’margin: auto;’ a case that could overturn the 1973 Roe v Wade ruling that legalised abortion in all 50 states.

The abortion pill, mifepristone, is approved for up to 10 weeks of pregnancy, and is one of two pills used to end pregnancy and treat miscarriage.

The new rule change allows women to receive the pill by post from a certified medical worker or pharmacy and receive abortion consultations on the internet.

“The FDA’s decision will come as a tremendous relief for countless abortion and miscarriage patients,” said Georgeanne Usova of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

But anti-abortion advocates say the decision puts women at risk as some 24 out of 3.4 million women who took the branded version of the drug to terminate a pregnancy have died between 2000 and 2018, according to FDA records.