Share of abortions through medication, 2000-2023
guttmacher.org
18 Mar 2024
Medicated abortion is the most common form of abortion in the US, accounting for nearly two-thirds of all abortions. First approved in 2000 by the FDA, Mifepristone (commonly known as the abortion pill) provided a non-traumatic and surgery-free option for those with pregnancies. In 2021, the FDA relaxed restrictions on the drug and allowed patients to get the pill without an in-person appointment, including through mail. Later, in 2023, the FDA approved an over-the-counter (OTC) abortion pill, allowing those who want to terminate their pregnancies to obtain the pill without a prescription. Proceeding with the decision, CVS and Walgreens began distributing the OTC abortion pill in states where it is legal in March 2024. While these past policies have eased the accessibility of the pill, recent efforts to enforce abortion bans and restrictions also restrict access to the pill. Since the standard set by Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, 14 states have enacted near-total abortion bans causing advocates to sue to block bans and restrictions leading to disagreements over abortion access in courtrooms. With the upcoming US presidential elections, uncertainty surrounding abortion may continue to increase.
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