US court blocks mail-order access to abortion drugs, for now

By Daniel Wiessner

May 1 (Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court on Friday ‌temporarily blocked a federal ‌rule allowing the abortion drug mifepristone to ​be dispensed through the mail, significantly curtailing access to the drug nationwide and particularly in states that ‌have banned abortion.

A ⁠panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ⁠in New Orleans said the state of Louisiana was likely to ​prevail in ​its challenge ​to the 2023 ‌rule adopted by Democratic former President Joe Biden's administration.

While the ruling is temporary, it is the first to significantly curtail access to ‌mifepristone in a series ​of lawsuits challenging ​the drug's ​initial approval in 2000 ‌and subsequent rules making ​it easier ​to obtain. The 2023 regulation removed a requirement that mifepristone ​be dispensed ‌in person.

(Reporting by Daniel Wiessner ​in Albany, New York; Editing ​by Mark Porter)