Women will now be able to acquire the medication used to end pregnancies via mail, giving them more privacy and access if they choose to have an abortion.
Regulations on the pill, generically known as mifepristone, previously stated that it had to be obtained in person. However, during the pandemic, the government ruled to temporarily allow women to receive the pill by mail after consulting virtually with a doctor. The Food and Drug Administration has decided to make this measure permanent.
This is also great news for women in rural regions who do not have easy access to healthcare in their immediate area. The pill will be shipped from a verified prescriber or pharmacy.
However, legislation in 19 states, including Texas, prohibits telemedicine consultations and shipping abortion pills to patients. Women in those states are not eligible to take advantage of the FDA’s decision.
Mifepristone is approved to terminate pregnancies at up to ten weeks. The pill is also prescribed to women who are experiencing miscarriages.
This latest win for women comes as abortion rights in the United States are in jeopardy. The Supreme Court is contemplating overturning Roe v. Wade, which guarantees women the right to abortion. If the 50-year-old ruling is overturned, over twenty states will immediately ban or place stringent protocols on who may receive an abortion.
