Federal judge rules FDA violated the law by restricting access to abortion medication

HONOLULU —

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration violated the law by imposing restrictions on accessing mifepristone, a medication for abortions and miscarriage management, a federal judge in Hawaii ruled Thursday.

A lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union argues the FDA continues to overly restrict access to a safe medication without scientific justification. ACLU lawyers asked the judge to find that the FDA violated the law but didn't seek an immediate elimination of the restrictions, which currently include special certification for prescribers and pharmacies and requiring patients to review a counseling form.

The FDA's 2023 decision to maintain the restrictions was unlawful under the Administrative Procedure Act, "by failing to provide a reasoned explanation for its restrictiv