Missouri Moves to Stop Mail-Order Abortion Pills

Looks like the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of a new generic version of the abortion drug mifepristone (abortion pill) will be facing a federal lawsuit thanks to Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway.

The suit seeks to ensure the recent approval of the abortion pill from Evita Solutions is blocked whilst restoring safety standards for the drug that were done away with in 2016. Such requirements were some of the only protective measures in place (for the mother at least) with one of the most highly contested being the in-person medical evaluation required to detect life-threatening conditions like ectopic pregnancies.

Thankfully, Kansas along with Idaho have joined the suit.

Pro-life groups have consistently promoted that the idea that the FDA’s decision puts women in danger by allowing unchecked mail-order distribution without basic medical safeguards, Hanaway has come to the same conclusion.

“Mifepristone is sending women to the hospital with life-threatening complications, and yet drug companies continue pushing new versions of it into the market without basic medical safeguards,” Hanaway said. “Mail-order abortion drugs are dangerous when taken without in-person care, and Missouri will not stand by while manufacturers gamble with women’s lives.”

On demand, mail-order abortion produces some terrifying results. According to labeling on the drug about one in 25 women taking abortifacients will find themselves in the emergency room with severe hemorrhaging, infection or in need of surgery. One study has found roughly 11% of women taking chemical abortions will face dangerous complications.

Federal law prohibits abortion drugs to distributed by mail, but there’s a loophole for telehealth networks and distributors, both of which have created ways to send mifepristone to all 50 states. These drugs are then obtained with zero emergency support, in-person screenings, or follow-up care.

According to Missouri, Idaho, and Kansas, such distribution breaks their laws whilst simultaneously placing a burden upon taxpayers and hospitals. Hanaway presents her case, stating: “No caring physician would call Mifepristone ‘as safe as Tylenol.’

That claim was always false.”

She continued, “Women are ending up in emergency rooms, and manufacturers know it. If the FDA is reevaluating the brand-name drug’s safety, then it needs to stop rubber-stamping new mail-order generic versions before more women are hurt.”

An increase in women seeking emergency care for complications from mail-order chemical abortions and out-of-state abortions has been reported by the state of Missouri, which further highlights their need to put a stop to distribution.

“Every woman deserves real medical care, not a dangerous pill in a mailbox,” Hanaway said. “Our lawsuit demands accountability from manufacturers and distributors and places women’s health above political pressure.”

The three states are seeking a court order that would:

• block mail-order distribution of the drug nationwide,
• prevent the new generic from entering the market, and
• hold manufacturers and distributors liable for violating state laws.

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