Federal appeals court blocks nationwide mailing of abortion pill mifepristone

A federal appeals court has ruled to block the mailing of mifepristone across the United States, reversing a 2023 FDA policy that allowed mail-order dispensing. This creates a nationwide barrier for medication abortion access, immediately affecting patients who rely on telehealth and mail-order services. The ruling directly challenges the Biden administration's efforts to protect abortion pill access through telehealth. Practices and pharmacies that have been prescribing or dispensing mifepristone via mail must halt this practice. Telehealth providers and prescribers will need to counsel patients on in-person dispensing requirements effective immediately.