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Limit "abortion pill" access to registered facilities?

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The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit against the federal government this month to allow women to fill prescriptions for the "abortion pill" at pharmacies, rather than at a registered health care facility.

About the "abortion pill"

When taken with another prescription drug, Mifeprex, often called the "abortion pill," ends a woman's pregnancy. This allows a woman to terminate a pregnancy at home.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has several extra restrictions on Mifeprex. In particular, a woman cannot fill a prescription for Mifeprex at a pharmacy. Instead, she can only receive the drug at a health care facility that registers with the manufacturer of Mifeprex, from a doctor that swears to his or her ability to safely prescribe Mifeprex.

According to the ACLU court filing, health care facilities often choose not to register and stock Mifeprex because of administrators' opposition to abortion or the complicated logistics of registration. Others are uncomfortable putting their name on a list of doctors who provide abortion services, fearing harassment from anti-abortion activists if the list ever becomes public. As a result, there is limited access to the abortion pill.

An unreasonable restriction on access?

The ACLU argues that there is no justification for the extra restrictions on Mifeprex, since there is ample evidence the drug is safe. Also, requiring a woman to get the drug from a registered health care facility does not actually increase her safety, since she still takes the drug at home.

Supporters of pharmacy access ultimately argue that the restrictions unjustly deprive women of choices in their own health care.

Is the FDA justified in limiting Mifeprex?

Supporters of the current FDA regulations note that a miscarriage can have serious physical and emotional side-effects, so it is reasonable to place additional restrictions on Mifeprex.

Abortion opponents also argue that women should not have quick and easy access to a pill that allows at-home abortion.

The NH angle

Some states place extra restrictions on Mifeprex, for example forbidding physician assistants and nurse practitioners from prescribing the drug. New Hampshire does not have any special restrictions on Mifeprex, although laws about abortion also apply to the abortion pill.

Click here to visit our issue page and learn more about abortion restrictions in New Hampshire

New Hampshire was actually a leader among states in providing access to Mifeprex. In 1991 the state Legislature passed a resolution urging the FDA to allow the abortion pill in the United States and encouraging clinical trials of the drug in the Granite State. 

Have your say!

Do you think New Hampshire or the federal government should tighten or loosen restrictions on Mifeprex, also known as the abortion pill? Share your opinion in the comments below.

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