- On Friday, U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk in Amarillo, Texas, suspended the approval of mifepristone, making the sale of the abortion pill illegal in the U.S.
- The judge ruled that the FDA ignored the risks in approving the drug. Kacsmaryk also noted that his ruling would not take effect for one week to give U.S. President Joe Biden's administration seven days to appeal to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
- The White House is planning to start new discussions with abortion pill manufacturers and U.S. pharmacy chains in efforts to push back against the ban on mifepristone as it appeals a Texas court ruling suspending the drug's approval.
- Discussions between the Biden administration, pill manufacturers, and pharmacies have been ongoing for months, Reuters reported, but Friday's decision brings fresh urgency.
- In January, the FDA allowed pharmacies to offer abortion pills, mifepristone, in the U.S.
- No retail pharmacies are currently certified to dispense mifepristone, and many are going through the certification process.
- It was not immediately clear which companies would be involved in these discussions. The White House declined to comment.
- Major U.S. manufacturers of abortion pills include GenBioPro Inc and Danco Laboratories. Pharmacy chains dispensing such pills include Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc WBA, CVS Health Corp CVS, and Rite Aid Corp RAD.
- Also Read: Walgreens Boots Alliance Nixes Dispersing Abortion Medication In 20 Republican States.
- Reuters added that politically makes it easier for the White House to make its case to the public that the FDA approval of the drug was accurate and mobilize activists and supporters to turn the issue into one that resonates with voters ahead of the 2024 presidential elections.
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