The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday permanently lifted its restriction on the abortion pill mifepristone that required providers to dispense the drug in person, allowing it to be delivered by mail. MORE: EXPLAINER: Medication abortion becomes latest GOP targetIn its updated guidance online, the FDA cited the need to "reduce burden on patient access and the health care delivery system." MORE: Texas abortion ban puts spotlight on medication abortionsWomen still must obtain the pill through a certified health care provider. According to The Guttmacher Institute, which tracks state policies on the abortion pill, 19 states already require a provider to be physically present when administering the pill and prohibit telemedicine when prescribing it. FDA lifts restriction on abortion pill, permanently allowing delivery by mail originally appeared on abcnews.go.com

Source: ABC News December 16, 2021 22:36 UTC