Abortion pill mifepristone: An explainer and research roundup about its history, safety and future

On June 13, the Supreme Court justices in a unanimous decision preserved access to mifepristone, a medication that’s used for the safe termination of early pregnancy, writing that “federal courts are the wrong forum for addressing the plaintiffs’ concerns about FDA’s actions.” This piece aims to help inform the narrative on medication abortion with scientific evidence, especially as journalistic coverage of the topic has never been more crucial.

The Legal Context and Judicial History

The legal future of mifepristone had hung in the balance for several months. In August 2023, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that mifepristone should not be prescribed past the seventh week of pregnancy, prescribed via telemedicine, or shipped to patients through the mail. In September, the Justice Department asked the Supreme Court to consider a challenge to that ruling. On Dec. 13, 2023, the Supreme Court justices announced that they would take up the case on the availability of mifepristone. The justices heard oral arguments on March 26, 2024 before issuing the June 13 ruling. Meanwhile, abortion is on the ballot in four states this year so far, with initiatives that aim to ban, restrict, or expand abortion rights.

What is Medication Abortion?

Medication abortion is also known as abortion with pills or medical abortion. Below, we explain what medication abortion is, how individuals access it, and what research shows about its safety and effectiveness. It is endorsed by several organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists and the American Medical Association.

Current Clinical Guidelines

The following standards for the use of medication abortion are established by major health organizations:

• The Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Has approved medication abortion for up to 10 weeks of pregnancy.
• World Health Organization (WHO): Authorizes its use for up to 12 weeks and notes it can also be used beyond 12 weeks of pregnancy.
• International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO): States medication abortion can be used beyond 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Media Coverage and Research Findings

It’s important for journalists covering abortion to have a good understanding of medication abortion so that they can better inform their audiences. A recent analysis of more than 1,100 articles, published between January 2022 and June 2023 in five major U.S. news outlets, finds that "while U.S. newspapers are treating the topic of abortion in general and medication abortion access in particular as serious policy issues, they are under-covering medication abortion considering its prevalence as the leading abortion method in the U.S."

In addition, research published in Sexuality Research and Social Policy in June 2025 highlights several issues in current reporting:

• Politicians and lawyers were quoted more than healthcare providers.
• Less than half of the articles included basic facts on medication abortion.
• Only one in five articles included a personal story of someone seeking abortion.

Medication abortions accounted for 51% of all abortions, making scientific evidence regarding its history and safety essential for public understanding.