The decision would allow expanding access to the medication in states where it is already legal, but also in other territories where access has been restricted
The Food and Drug Administration of the United States (FDA, in English) published this Tuesday a new regulation on the abortion pills of mifepristone that it would allow drugstore chains, such as CVS or Walgreens, to sell them in their stores.
Under the new guidelines, these chains could offer the drug if it has been prescribed by a doctor and they meet certain requirements. Until now, only certified doctors or clinics would have the endorsement to dispense it.
The decision would allowExpand access to abortion medication in states where it is already legal, but access to pills has been restricted in other territories following the Supreme Court decision last June, which eliminated the constitutional protection of abortion.
According to several American media, close to half of all abortions performed in the country are through pills.
Mifepristone is one of two drugs commonly used to terminate a pregnancy, along with misoprostol, which causes the uterus to empty and is not as tightly regulated.
The FDA authorizes the use of mifepristone during the first ten weeks of pregnancy, although it is safe to do so, at least until the thirteenth week, according to studies cited by The New York Times.