DOJ seeks Supreme Court intervention in abortion pill case
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The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Thursday that the Biden Administration would ask the Supreme Court to intervene in a lawsuit related to the abortion pill mifepristone after a federal appeals court imposed temporary restrictions on its use.
Late Wednesday, the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals blocked an earlier ruling by District Court Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk last week to suspend the FDA approval of mifepristone after more than two decades in the market.
However, the court imposed temporary restrictions on methods that the FDA has introduced over the years to improve its access, including delivery via mail.
In a statement, Attorney General Merrick Garland said that his department âstrongly disagreesâ with the ruling. âWe will be seeking emergency relief from the Supreme Court to defend the FDAâs scientific judgment and protect Americansâ access to safe and effective reproductive care,â he added.
In February, a group of 20 attorneys general threatened to take legal action after Walgreens (NASDAQ:WBA) and CVS (NYSE:CVS) said that they would permit mifepristone to be offered by retail pharmacies for the first time in states where abortion remained legal.
While Walgreens (WBA) complied with their request, CVS (CVS), Rite Aid (NYSE:RAD), and other major pharmacies didnât comment on the matter.
In reaction, California Gov. Gavin Newson threatened to sever the state's business ties with the company sending Walgreens (WBA) shares lower in early March.