The Food and Drug Administration announced last Tuesday that pharmacies will now be able to distribute the abortion pill mifepristone to patients with a prescription.
As reported by Relevant Magazine, Mifepristone is a drug typically used to manage miscarriages. It prompts abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy by blocking progesterone, a hormone that helps the pregnancy continue.
Alexis McGill Johnson, the president & CEO of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, lauded the pro-abortion decision in a Tuesday statement, saying, “Today’s news is a step in the right direction for health equity. Being able to access your prescribed medication abortion through the mail or to pick it up in person from a pharmacy like any other prescription is a game changer,”
“While we’re still fighting against bans and restrictions on medication abortion at the state level, it’s critical that people in states where abortion is legal have access to care.”
The decision was made in light of the FDA’s response to the COVID–19 pandemic, which prompted the organization to temporarily allow telehealth healthcare providers to prescribe mifepristone and have it shipped to patients by mail. Prior to the move, patients were only able to get the drug by going to their doctors.
Despite the expanded access to mifepristone, pharmacies will have to undergo a certification process to distribute the drug. According to experts, major chains like Walgreens and CVS will likely have a difficult time getting certified due to the controversy surrounding abortion. Smaller chains, however, will likely undergo the certification process.
Additionally, the overturning of Roe v. Wade last year resulted in 13 states implementing near-total restrictions on abortions.
According to Vice, health law professor at Boston University’s School of Public Health Nicole Huberfeld, said the bill will not affect states with such bans.
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Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for Christian Headlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.
