Last night, Physicians for Reproductive Health, represented by Fried Frank, filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit urging for a stay of Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk’s order attempting to void the FDA’s approval of mifepristone.
The brief affirms the safety and efficacy of mifepristone and includes first-hand accounts from trained, expert health care professionals who provide abortion care on the importance of access to mifepristone. PRH CEO & President Dr. Jamila Perritt along with PRH Board Member Dr. Bhavik Kumar, and PRH Fellows Dr. Mae Winchester, Dr. Atsuko Koyama, Dr. Michael Belmonte, Dr. Carolyn Sufrin, Dr. Nisha Verma, and Dr. Aishat Olatunde provide their firsthand perspectives.
Withdrawing mifepristone from the US market will have far reaching impacts on reproductive health, medical ethics, and patient autonomy.
The brief states, “for over twenty years mifepristone has been part of the standard of care in reproductive health. Mifepristone is used on a regular basis by providers nationwide and around the world in medication abortion and miscarriage management. Decades of medical research and multiple objective assessments have shown that mifepristone is safe and effective. Ignoring the wealth of scientific evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of mifepristone, the District Court purports to stay the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (“FDA”) approval of mifepristone. Unless stayed by this Court, the withdrawal of mifepristone will have far reaching impacts on reproductive health, medical ethics, and patient autonomy.
“Many of PRH’s providers prescribe and administer mifepristone on a regular basis. As experienced medical professionals, with training in obstetrics, gynecology, and complex family planning specialties, these providers are in the unique position to offer first-hand perspectives and experiences on the safety and efficacy of mifepristone, how providers share information and obtain informed consent from patients electing a course of treatment involving mifepristone, why access to mifepristone is critical, and why the ways that limiting access to mifepristone would disrupt the standard medical practice nationwide.”
For firsthand accounts from our Fellows, Board Members, and President & CEO, read the full brief.