(NewsNation) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is conducting a review of the abortion drug mifepristone, to determine if there are any risks or safety concerns with its use.
U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr sent a letter on September 19 to Republican attorneys general, explaining that the FDA had “received reports of serious adverse events in patients who took mifepristone.” In the letter obtained by NewsNation, Kennedy said the FDA would be conducting its own review of evidence to determine whether any modifications to the drug’s use would be necessary.
Reproductive Freedom for All, a nonprofit, is pushing back against the FDA review, arguing that mifepristone is safe and that the study could place “dangerous restrictions” on abortion access.
“Mifepristone is the most commonly used method of abortion care, and making it inaccessible is the first step to banning abortion nationwide. We condemn this attack on freedom,” the nonprofit posted on X.
News of this FDA review comes amid growing debate around access to abortion services in the U.S. In August, the Texas House passed a bill with a focus on restricting the use of abortion medication in the state. Dubbed a “bounty-hunting scheme” by the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, the legislation would allow individuals connected to an abortion the ability to sue doctors, distributors, and manufacturers anywhere in the country for $100,000. In addition, anybody in contact with the medication would be liable.