Up until Thursday, FDA regulations on the abortion pill mifepristone consisted of three components:
1. providers must complete a self-certification process with the drug’s distributor to provide mifepristone;
2. patients must sign a special patient-agreement form; and
3. the pills must be dispensed in a clinic, medical office or hospital.
The FDA has permanently removed the third requirement and will allow certified pharmacies to dispense the pills. While the decision is good news, it does not go far enough to align with the evidence. Still, the removal of the in-person dispensing requirement for mifepristone is an essential first step.