Senator Josh Hawley urges federal action and supervision on mifepristone.

Sen. Hawley Seeks Stricter Regulation on Mifepristone

Senator Josh Hawley from Missouri is urging for increased oversight on the abortion drug mifepristone, insisting that it’s time for Congress to enact what he calls fundamental safety measures.

“The troubling fact is that the number of abortions in the U.S. has risen since Roe v. Wade was overturned,” Hawley noted during a recent interview. “That just doesn’t seem right. Abortions are on the rise every year, and mifepristone is a major contributor. It’s being mailed across the country, disregarding state laws—whether they restrict or ban abortion or this specific drug. It doesn’t seem to matter.”

He elaborated that mifepristone is often shipped to individuals without any medical consultation, and, in many cases, without even a prescription. “There’s no follow-up protocol at all. I can’t wrap my head around it,” he said.

FDA Under Fire from Republican Senators

Mifepristone, which blocks crucial hormones necessary for pregnancy, is typically followed by another medication called misoprostol to complete the abortion process. Hawley cited findings from a study revealing that about 11% of women using mifepristone face serious health issues. “That’s a staggering number,” he remarked, “and it starkly contrasts with what the drug’s label states.”

This particular study was conducted by the Center for Ethics and Public Policy and examined nearly 876,000 claims for mifepristone from 2017 to 2023. According to Hawley, almost 11% of women experienced severe adverse events like sepsis or bleeding within 45 days post-abortion.

In a previous accusation, Hawley claimed that the FDA endangered women’s health by approving mifepristone without the promised comprehensive safety review. “The FDA’s leadership has mentioned they’re planning a study,” he observed, “but honestly, it seems to be going nowhere.” He also expressed skepticism about whether that study would ever be finalized.

Push for Basic Safety Measures

Hawley has suggested that at the very least, there should be standard procedures in place. “I think a basic requirement would be for women to have an in-person consultation with their doctor before being prescribed mifepristone. It’s crucial to screen for conditions like ectopic pregnancies because taking the drug in such cases can lead to severe complications,” he said. “I mean, we’re really only discussing minimal requirements here.”

He expressed that he believes Congress should take a more active role in overseeing the drug’s use. “I feel we need to do more,” he insisted. “It’s painfully clear that the safety review we expected from the FDA has yet to be accomplished.”

“I don’t see any timeline at this point,” he continued, highlighting the lack of progress on the FDA’s promised study. “They made this commitment a year ago, but it appears absolutely stalled. So, I think it’s imperative for Congress to intervene.”