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Wednesday, November 6, 2024

James leads coalition defending mifepristone access against North Carolina restrictions

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Attorney General Letitia James | Official website

New York Attorney General Letitia James, alongside a coalition of 17 other attorneys general, has submitted an amicus brief in the case of Bryant v. Stein. This action supports a district court's decision that North Carolina cannot impose additional restrictions on mifepristone access beyond those set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The coalition argues that such barriers could increase medical risks for patients.

"Mifepristone is a safe medication that has been used by millions of people, and these dangerous restrictions are causing real harm to people across the country," said Attorney General James. "Reproductive health care should not be weaponized as a tool to win political points; it is a human right that should be accessible to everyone who needs it. I will always defend people's reproductive rights and access to this critical health care."

Mifepristone, approved by the FDA in 2000, is used for abortions and miscarriage treatments. Since its approval, the FDA has periodically reassessed its distribution conditions under a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS) program, reducing restrictions over time to balance safety with patient access.

In 2016, the FDA removed some requirements such as obtaining mifepristone in person from a physician. However, in 2023, North Carolina introduced restrictions on mifepristone use and distribution that were previously lifted by the FDA. An abortion provider challenged these state-imposed restrictions as being preempted by federal law. The district court agreed that states cannot reimpose conditions removed by the FDA under REMS.

Attorney General James' coalition includes representatives from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and the District of Columbia.

This move is part of Attorney General James' broader efforts to safeguard reproductive rights both in New York and nationwide. Her recent actions include suing anti-abortion groups promoting unproven treatments and urging Congress to expand reproductive health services access.

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