Staff Reports
A federal court’s attempt to disapprove the widely used abortion drug, mifepristone, was just blocked by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, reports the Washington Examiner. Alito’s intervention in this decision stalled the district court’s ruling, setting the stage for the full SCOTUS showdown soon, possibly next week.
Alito issues stay of Texas judge's ruling in mifepristone case, setting up Supreme Court showdown next week https://t.co/AS8SjCjRip
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) April 15, 2023
Certain states have banned the use of abortion drugs like mifepristone due to strict anti-abortion measures they have adopted since Roe v. Wade was annulled last year. This ban came in the wake of a court’s decision earlier this month that favored abortion opponents by blocking the Food and Drug Administration’s 2000 approval of the drug.
Its manufacturer and the Biden administration filed an emergency appeal, leading to Alito’s intervention, as he administers matters deriving from the Louisiana-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit.
While upholding the district court’s nationwide injunction, a three-judge panel of the 5th Circuit issued an unpublished order this week striking down the broad suspension of mifepristone’s FDA approval order.
Mifepristone is a synthetic steroid medicine that functions as a progesterone receptor antagonist. It was synthesized in the 80s and is now widely used for medical abortion and the treatment of gynecological diseases such as Cushing’s syndrome and endometriosis.
The legal issue at hand is a hot-button topic, and the court’s ultimate decision will carry significant implications. However, Erin Hawley, senior counsel for the Alliance Defending Freedom- a group representing anti-abortion complainants, expressed confidence that the Supreme Court will favor their cause.
