San Francisco, CA – Last week, the United States Supreme Court granted a stay of execution, requested by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Danco Laboratories, in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine et al v. U.S. Food and Drug Administration et al. This stay allows mifepristone – one of two drugs used in medication abortion – to retain its current FDA approval as the case proceeds through the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
While the threat to unravel women’s rights and the scientific foundation of our drug and device approval process is far from over, it is reassuring to see our nation’s highest court act to protect both. As a result of this stay, mifepristone will remain accessible while the Fifth Circuit hears the DOJ and Danco Laboratories’ appeal.
Statement from Medicines360 CEO Tina Raine-Bennett, MD, MPH:
“As a physician, let me be clear: for 20 years, mifepristone has been shown to be safe and effective. Alongside contraception, it is part of the full suite of reproductive healthcare that women in this country must have equitable access to – ensuring that they have control over their lives and their futures. An essential part of our nonprofit mission is to address critical gaps for women who are disadvantaged and discriminated against in the healthcare system – the women that this case could disproportionately harm. While we are relieved by the Supreme Court’s decision, we will continue to stand with women as this case continues to work its way through our court system.”
The April 7 decision from Federal District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, from which this urgent appeals process sprang, ignored decades of scientific research and legal precedent. If allowed to stand, it will diminish the FDA’s authority over drug and device approvals, endangering innovation and ultimately people’s health across the country. Medicines360 was proud to join other leaders in the pharmaceutical industry in filing an amicus brief with the Supreme Court as well as publishing an open-letter on this case.
Press Contact: Stacey Manley
Vice President, Communications & Marketing
smanley@Medicines360.org 415.951.8700