May 7, 2026

Statement from the Reproductive Health Coalition on Mifepristone Access

Washington, D.C. - The Reproductive Health Coalition (RHC) reaffirms the safety of mifepristone and supports the administrative stay pausing the 5th Circuit’s ruling in Louisiana v FDA for one week. At this time, providers may proceed with prescribing mifepristone via telehealth for medication abortion.  Although the Supreme Court’s stay of the Fifth Circuit’s decision is a welcome relief - it is only temporary and does not guarantee the future of access to mifepristone. The RHC urges policymakers and regulators to align decisions with available scientific evidence and maintain access to mifepristone without unnecessary regulatory burden. Patients deserve care that is timely, evidence-based, and centered on their health, not shaped by political interference.

On May 1, 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit issued a ruling in Louisiana v. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)  “that reinstated the requirement that mifepristone be dispensed only in person.” The Supreme Court of the United States has issued an administrative stay in the case through May 11, 2026. The RHC is deeply concerned about any effort to overturn the current FDA dispensing requirements for mifepristone. The FDA first approved mifepristone in 2000 after extensive review of its safety and effectiveness, and has since updated its regulatory framework to reflect evolving evidence—including telehealth prescribing and certified pharmacy dispensing by mail. 

The FDA currently regulates mifepristone under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program that allows certified clinicians to prescribe the medication via telehealth and permits certified pharmacies to dispense it by mail. These requirements already ensure appropriate clinical oversight while improving access to care. Requiring patients to obtain mifepristone in person is not grounded in science nor clinical need. It is a policy barrier that delays care, disrupts treatment, and interferes with the patient-physician relationship. “Over 7.5 million U.S. patients have safely used telehealth for abortion care.” says Sophia Yen, MD, MPH. Telehealth access serves as a lifeline for patients who are located in ban states or are otherwise unable to travel to a physical clinic. Imposing in-person dispensing requirements could force patients to travel long distances, take time off work, arrange childcare, and navigate stigma and legal uncertainty – barriers that can delay care and, in some cases, result in later presentation in pregnancy with increased health risks.

Telehealth prescribing and pharmacy dispensing of mifepristone reflect evidence-based, patient-centered medical practice and have been shown to be safe, effective, and appropriate. Rolling back these standards undermines our ability to provide timely, high-quality care and places patients at unnecessary risk. At a time when access to reproductive health care is already severely constrained, reinstating in-person dispensing requirements would exacerbate inequities and harm those already facing the greatest barriers, particularly patients in rural communities, those with limited resources, and those living in states with restrictive laws.

“Politics should not interfere with timely, evidence-based healthcare, and limit patients’ access to essential care.” says Theresa Rohr-Kirchgraber, MD. Mifepristone, which has a well-established safety profile and multiple clinical uses – including miscarriage management, other evidence-based indications, and research for endometriosis, brain tumors, fibroids, breast cancer and more – should remain accessible without an in-person dispensing requirement.

For inquiries or additional information from the Reproductive Health Coalition, please contact kyle.shields@drsforamerica.org.

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The Reproductive Health Coalition (RHC) is a wide-range of health professional associations and allied organizations who advocate with a unified voice to protect access to essential reproductive care. The tenets of this work include: a patient’s right to dignity, autonomy, privacy, and the expectation of a trusted relationship with their clinician; protection of the clinician’s ethical obligation to provide care, including their access to comprehensive training; and a commitment to an evidence-based approach to policy and practice. Over 120 organizations participate in the RHC, collectively representing more than 150 million members. Click here for more information.

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