Almost all Republican senators signed on Thursday a letter urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reverse its decision to approve a “generic” version of the abortion pill mifepristone, which could hit the market in January if no action is taken.
Senator Lindsey Graham, joined by 50 of his colleagues, wrote that “we are deeply concerned” by the FDA’s decision. The approval of generic mifepristone occurred in late September without a public announcement.
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In the letter, the senators wrote that the approval “seems inconsistent” with recent comments by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who confirmed in early September that that office is reviewing the safety of the abortion pill and claimed that President Joe Biden’s administration “misrepresented data” to downplay health concerns about the drug.
“Out of respect for this important review and with full confidence in your dedication to protecting women’s health, states’ rights, and the life of the fetus, we urge you to take decisive action to reevaluate whether this generic version of mifepristone is suitable for marketing,” the senators wrote.
The letter urged the administration to “suspend approval of any new generic version of mifepristone” while the drug review is underway and “commit to ensuring that all generic versions of mifepristone are included in the ongoing reevaluation.”
Republican senators also urged the FDA to restore safeguards regulating the abortion pill, including the in-person dispensing requirement that was lifted under the Biden administration in 2021. Restoring it would prevent the drugs from being delivered by mail.
“These policies have allowed abusers, traffickers and even minors to obtain abortion pills,” the senators argued.
“The consequences have not only been deadly for unborn babies, but also for their mothers,” the senators continued. “Contrary to the narrative spread by the media that taking abortion pills is ‘safer than taking Tylenol,’ evidence shows that the risk of serious medical complications after taking mifepristone is at least 22 times greater than reported on the drug’s label. In fact, more than 1 in 10 women taking mifepristone will experience a serious adverse event.”
“We are committed to continuing to work together to give a voice to the voiceless and protect women from the dangerous effects of unregulated access to chemical abortion medications,” they wrote. “The lives, safety, liberty and health of millions of Americans, born and unborn, depend on it.”
Translated and adapted by the ACI Prensa team. Originally published in CNA.
Tyler Arnold
Tyler Arnold is a reporter for the National Catholic Register. He previously worked at The Center Square and has published in a variety of outlets, including The Associated Press, National Review, The American Conservative, and The Federalist.