Catholic bishop demands faster FDA review of abortion drug mifepristone ahead of midterms
A senior Catholic bishop has urged US authorities to speed up a delayed safety review of mifepristone, a drug used in medical abortions. Bishop Daniel E. Thomas, leading the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ pro-life committee, wrote to the FDA and the Department of Justice to express concerns about the process. The move comes as pro-life groups accuse the FDA of stalling the review until after the November midterm elections. Bishop Thomas sent a letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary. In it, he called for the agency to complete its promised safety review of mifepristone without further delay. He also pushed for the reinstatement of stricter distribution rules, known as Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS), which were eased under the Biden administration.
The FDA currently allows mifepristone to be sent by mail, a policy introduced during the pandemic. Pro-life organisations, including Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, have repeatedly demanded an end to mail distribution. They also criticised the FDA’s recent approval of a generic version of the drug, questioning the transparency of its safety assessment.
The Wall Street Journal reported that some pro-life advocates suspect the review is being intentionally postponed. Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America went further, calling for Commissioner Makary’s removal over the handling of the drug’s regulation. Meanwhile, the Trump administration had left the mail distribution policy unchanged despite opposition from conservative groups.
Debate over mifepristone remains sharp. Supporters argue the drug is statistically safe for women when used as directed. Opponents claim it poses serious risks, particularly when taken without direct medical supervision. The FDA’s review of mifepristone may not conclude until after the midterms. Bishop Thomas and allied groups continue to press for tighter controls on the drug’s distribution. For now, the current policy allowing mail delivery remains in effect.
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