FDA Lifts In-Person Dispensing Requirements for Medication Abortion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 16, 2021
Contact: Kelly Novak, [email protected]

Statement from Andrea Miller, President, National Institute for Reproductive Health:

“Allowing patients to receive mifepristone by mail or through a certified pharmacy is a huge step forward for access to abortion in the US. Medication abortion is not only safe and effective, but as was demonstrated during the pandemic, vital for providing essential care. 

At a time when the Supreme Court is poised to restrict access to abortion care, this is welcome news. And yet more remains to be done. Nineteen states currently ban telehealth for abortion. Even with this decision it will be true that for too many people, where you live will determine what kind of care you get.

We call on the FDA to go even further and remove all of the medically unnecessary barriers to medication abortion. We also call on states to lift all abortion barriers, from those on medication abortion to unjustified restrictions for abortion clinics. Abortion care is essential, and it should be legal, accessible, and available with dignity and support.”

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The National Institute for Reproductive Health (NIRH) is an advocacy group that works directly with state and local reproductive health, rights, and justice organizations and allied groups to protect and advance access to reproductive healthcare. For more than 40 years, NIRH has been partnering with communities to build coalitions, launch campaigns, and successfully advocate for policy change. NIRH’s strategy is to go on the offensive and focus on communities where change is needed, so the fabric of reproductive freedom becomes harder to tear apart.