In a move that aligns with the interests of reproductive rights advocates, Attorney General Nick Brown, along with a coalition from 16 states and the District of Columbia, is pressing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a notable policy change. The group has submitted a petition urging the FDA to eliminate what they describe as "burdensome restrictions" on mifepristone, a medication commonly used for abortion services. This request comes with the backing of substantial evidence promoting the safety of medication abortion and highlighting the disproportionate challenges these restrictions impose, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
Joining forces with states like Massachusetts, California, New Jersey, and New York who initially filed a similar petition on June 5, the coalition is rigorously arguing for the removal of regulations on mifepristone. "Mifepristone has been safely used by millions of women in this country over the last 25 years," Brown stated on the Washington Attorney General's office, emphasizing the medication's importance in a society grappling with the aftermath of the Dobbs decision. The group insists that these extraneous requirements have no ground in the well-documented safety history of the drug, citing data from the Washington State Department of Health revealing minimal complications from nearly 30,000 medication abortions.
The FDA's current regulations on mifepristone include mandatory registration for prescribing providers, special certification for pharmacies, and an agreement form from patients acknowledging their voluntary pregnancy termination before they can receive a prescription. According to statements obtained by the Attorney General's office, these constraints are creating a chilling effect among medical professionals who are qualified to administer mifepristone but are deterred by potential threats from anti-abortion activists and the onerous requirements.
As reported by the Washington Attorney General's office, the current circumstances lead to a "reduced number of providers able to prescribe medication abortion, particularly in rural areas already contending with limited health care options." The attorneys general who joined Brown are advocating for the FDA to lift these restrictions, or alternatively, cease enforcement within their jurisdictions where there already exist comprehensive safety regulations. Assistant Attorney General Lauryn Fraas, alongside other key legal team members, have been instrumental in handling the citizen petition on behalf of Washington.
States aligned with Brown in this effort include Arizona, Maine, Hawai‘i, Illinois, and Vermont. The District of Columbia and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro are also part of the coalition. The Washington Attorney General's office has published the original press release, which provides the full details of the petition.
