Federal health regulators have relaxed the guidelines for taking an abortifacient pill, a decision that makes abortion by medication cheaper and more accessible to women in the United States.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on March 30 relaxed restrictions on the use of Mifeprex, the brand name for mifepristone, which is prescribed by medical providers to medically induce abortion.
The drug works by blocking receptors of progesterone, a hormone that plays a key role in maintaining pregnancy.
FDA updated the prescribing information on the label of the drug extending its use from the current 49 days of gestation to 70 days.
The agency likewise reduced the number of the needed visits to the doctor from three to two as well as lowered the recommended dose of the drug from 600 milligrams to 200 milligrams.
"After reviewing the supplemental application, the agency determined that Mifeprex is safe and effective when used to terminate a pregnancy in accordance with the revised labeling," the FDA said in a statement.
Many abortion providers have already veered away from previous restrictions but there are states like North Dakota, Texas and Ohio, which have laws that require strict adherence to prescription according to the label. FDA's announcement would mean that abortion-inducing drugs would now be easier to get in these three states.
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said that it is pleased with the updated regimen for mifepristone as this reflects current scientific evidence and best practices.
The drug's original label was based on clinical evidences from the 1990s, which was before FDA granted the drug approval in 2000. New evidences, however, have emerged supporting lower doses for fewer side effects and longer period during which women can safely take the medication.
Abortion rights groups and clinics also hailed the decision.
"The updated label is more aligned with evidence-based medicine and has the potential to expand abortion access for Ohio women," said Chrisse France, who runs Preterm, an abortion clinic in Ohio. "We are pleased to announce that as of today we will be offering medication abortion to more women, with fewer required visits."
Anti-abortion campaigners, however, were unhappy and condemned the expanded access of the drug.
"It's expanding the customer base for the abortion industry," said Randall O'Bannon, from the National Right to Life organization.
