Tuesday 26th March 2024 – Today, the Supreme Court of the United States will hear oral arguments around access to mifepristone, an essential abortion medication that is used by more than 5 million people in the U.S. and has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for more than 20 years.
Oral arguments for U.S. Food and Drug Administration v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine come after various U.S. lower court rulings limiting access to mifepristone. Last year, the Supreme Court issued a stay ruling on the case, meaning mifepristone is still accessible while the Supreme Court makes a final decision, which is expected in June.
Dr. Dhammika Perera, MSI Reproductive Choices’ Global Medical Director said:
“Mifepristone is used in over half of U.S. abortions and restricting its availability threatens reproductive choice for all Americans. As one of the world’s leading providers of comprehensive abortion care, we recognize that reliable delivery of reproductive healthcare can transform women’s lives. Access to the effective combination regimen of mifepristone and misoprostol is essential to ensuring women and girls have the power to determine their own futures. In addition to accessing mifepristone in a clinic setting, we’re seeing that self-managed medication abortion is often preferred among our clients, especially those who struggle to reach a provider in person. Globally, mifepristone is approved and has been used safely and effectively in over 90 countries for over 30 years. Our work to help people around the world access the abortion care they need has made it clear that access to mifepristone is critical to expanding and protecting reproductive choice.
“The fact that access to mifepristone is even being questioned in the United States shows a dangerous and continuous rollback of reproductive rights in the country, especially as we approach the two-year mark of Roe v. Wade being overturned. While so many other nations across the world are making progress to protect reproductive freedom and abortion care, the United States is moving backward. We believe in a world where everyone has the right to decide their own futures without fear of stigma or legal consequences.”
Notes to Editor
For interviews and further information please contact:
Email: press@msichoices.org
Tel: +44 (0)7769 166 516
