Texas Federal Judge Considers Revoking FDA Approval of Abortion Pill in Potentially Nationwide Ban

A Texas judge is currently hearing arguments regarding the sale of the commonly used abortion pill, mifepristone, in the US. The lawsuit, filed by an anti-abortion group in Texas, argues that the drug's safety was never properly studied and the drug was approved by the FDA before adequate testing was carried out. The case will be decided by Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, and his ruling could curtail access to the drug nationwide.

Mifepristone is taken at home and is used in over half of US pregnancy terminations. If Judge Kacsmaryk rules the FDA erred in its approval, sales of the drug - one of only two pills used to induce an abortion - could be halted. However, women would still be able to use the other approved abortion drug, misoprostol.

The FDA has reported a total of 26 deaths associated with mifepristone since it was approved in 2000 - a rate of about 0.65 deaths per 100,000 by-pill abortions. The drug has been approved for use for over 20 years, and President Joe Biden's administration argues that its approval was well-supported by science.

The high-stakes hearing is the first time Judge Kacsmaryk has engaged directly with lawyers for the Justice Department, representing the FDA; the company that manufactures and distributes the drug; and the anti-abortion group challenging the medication. Protestors are expected outside the federal court in Amarillo.

A Texas federal judge appointed by Donald Trump is considering revoking the FDA's approval of medication abortion in the US, according to a report by The Guardian. The judge, Matthew Kacsmaryk, appeared open to arguments made by a far-right group during a hearing, which could potentially lead to the nationwide banning of the abortion pill. Kacsmaryk stated that he would rule on the case "as soon as possible." In other news, a feud between Trump and Ron DeSantis is ongoing, with Trump's campaign planning to attack the Florida governor's record. A group linked to the ex-president has also filed a formal complaint over DeSantis's "shadow presidential campaign."

Medication-induced abortion has become increasingly contentious since the US Supreme Court's historic overruling last year of the constitutional right to abortion. Twelve Democratic-led states have filed a separate lawsuit against the FDA seeking to make access to mifepristone easier.