The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a challenge to the abortion pill mifepristone, with indications that the lawsuit should be dismissed. The focus was on whether the group of anti-abortion doctors who brought the lawsuit had legal standing to do so, rather than the FDA’s decision to lift restrictions on the drug. Justices questioned whether the doctors were directly injured by the drug because of their objections to abortion. Some justices raised concerns about the nationwide scope of the lower court ruling, which applied to all doctors.

Conservative Justices Thomas and Alito were the only ones who appeared sympathetic to the argument that the FDA acted unlawfully. The case is seen as a test for the conservative-majority court, which overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. The FDA is backed by the pharmaceutical industry, which argues that second-guessing the approval process could cause chaos. There were rallies outside the Supreme Court building, with most in favor of abortion rights, but some protesting chemical abortions.

Mifepristone is used in the majority of abortions nationwide and the case is focused on the FDA’s decisions regarding the drug since 2016. The Supreme Court is considering whether to uphold the FDA’s decisions to allow mail delivery of the pill and other changes to the dosing regimen. The outcome of the case could have wide-reaching effects on access to the drug, especially in states looking to restrict abortion following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Abortion is effectively banned in 14 states, according to the Guttmacher Institute.

The Supreme Court seemed likely to reject the challenge to mifepristone, with questions raised about the legal standing of the anti-abortion doctors who brought the lawsuit. Some justices questioned whether the doctors were directly injured because they objected to abortion. Conservative Justices Thomas and Alito were the only ones who appeared sympathetic to the argument that the FDA acted unlawfully. The case has been closely watched as a test for the conservative-majority court, which recently overturned Roe v. Wade.

The case involves the FDA’s decisions regarding mifepristone since 2016, including allowing mail delivery of the pill and changes to the dosing regimen. The outcome could have significant practical implications for access to the drug, especially in states seeking to restrict abortion post-Roe v. Wade. The FDA is supported by the pharmaceutical industry, which warns against judicial interference in the approval process. Rallies outside the Supreme Court building were held, with most in support of abortion rights, but some protesting chemical abortions.

The Supreme Court’s focus during oral arguments was on the legal standing of the anti-abortion doctors challenging the FDA’s decisions on mifepristone. The case is seen as a test for the conservative-majority court, which has recently made significant decisions on abortion rights. Justices questioned whether the doctors were directly injured by the drug and raised concerns about the nationwide scope of the lower court ruling. The outcome of the case could impact access to the drug in states seeking to restrict abortion. Abortion is currently banned in 14 states, according to the Guttmacher Institute.

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