Overview
- In a Jan. 27 filing, the Justice Department asked a federal judge in Louisiana to stay the case challenging mail-order access to mifepristone during the FDA’s new review of the drug’s risk program.
- Government lawyers argue proceeding now would waste judicial resources and contend that Louisiana and plaintiff Rosalie Markezich lack standing to reinstate in-person dispensing rules.
- The administration told the court it will report any regulatory decision from the review within 14 days, and it characterizes immediate judicial relief as potentially disruptive.
- A Feb. 24 hearing remains scheduled as Louisiana officials and several pro-life groups denounce the requested pause, calling for prompt restoration of prior safeguards.
- The lawsuit is among several state-led challenges to the FDA’s 2023 policy; the filing asserts states remain free to enforce their abortion laws, including against out-of-state prescribers.