The Trump administration filed a motion Jan. 27 asking a federal court in Louisiana to pause a lawsuit that seeks to reimpose restrictions on the abortion pill mifepristone while the FDA conducts a new review of the drug’s safety and regulation.
In the case, the state challenges the agency’s 2023 decision to lift the in-person dispensing requirement for mifepristone. However, the Justice Department argued the lawsuit may be “unnecessary,” citing the ongoing federal review and noting that the FDA may choose to reinstate the restrictions independently. The review is expected to conclude within one year, according to a Jan. 27 report from Politico.
The brief also disputes Louisiana’s legal standing and criticizes the FDA’s earlier decision as reflecting a “lack of adequate consideration,” despite prior endorsements from major medical organizations. The Justice Department suggested that allowing the case to move forward could interfere with scientific and regulatory work already underway.
The court filing comes less than two weeks after President Donald Trump released a broader healthcare policy outline, which includes plans to expand direct drug access through TrumpRx and tighten regulatory control over medication distribution.
A hearing in the case is set for Feb. 24, Politico reported.
