Supreme Court maintains access to abortion pill in unanimous decision

Reproductive rights groups across the US are responding to the Supreme Court’s decision to throw out a challenge to how mifepristone is accessed.

Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights said she felt “both relief and anger about this decision.” She said she was glad the decision had been rejected, but did not believe it should have made it to the Supreme Court in the first place.

Jennifer Dalven, director of the American Civil Liberties Union Reproductive Freedom Project warned that while today seemed like a victory for reproductive rights, “we know that this is far from the end of the line.” Dalven said other politicians were prepared to pose challenges to abortion rights in the US.

Destiny Lopez, acting Co-CEO of the Guttmacher Institute said the case was “rooted in bad faith and lacking any basis in facts or science.” Lopez said it should not have ever reached the top. court, echoing Northup’s sentiment. She also warned that further challenges to anti-abortion rights would arise despite the outcome.

President of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Stella Dantas said the decision from the Supreme Court “provides us with long-awaited relief.” Dantas said the findings meant “patients and clinicians across the country will continue to have access to mifepristone for medication abortion and miscarriage management.”

The President of the American Medical Association (AMA) Bobby Mukkamala released a statement applauding the Supreme Court’s decision. “Efforts to second guess the FDA’s scientific judgment and roll back access to mifepristone were based on a sham case that not only lacked standing, but relied on speculative allegations and ideological assertions,” the statement said.

Phyllis Arthur, executive vice president and head of Healthcare Policy and Programs at BIO said they were pleased that the authority would remain with the FDA to approve new medicines. “Today’s decision ensures patients and drug developers can rely on the rigorous FDA approval process as the scientific and trusted standard for drug approvals.”

Meanwhile, Danco, the manufacturer of mifepristone, said it was pleased with the outcome of today’s ruling, which “safeguards access to a drug that has decades of safe and effective use.” The manufacturer said it remained committed to providing safe access to abortion across the US.

This post will continue to be updated as more reactions are released.