A recent analysis indicates that over 5% of women who took mifepristone for abortion required a second procedure within 45 days, highlighting potential issues with the pill’s effectiveness. The study, conducted by the Ethics and Public Policy Center, examined insurance claims from 865,727 mifepristone abortions between 2017 and 2023.
Out of these cases, 45,498 women needed an additional abortion attempt after the initial mifepristone regimen failed. Specifically, 24,563 underwent surgical abortions, and nearly 7,000 had both a second medication abortion and a surgical procedure.
The report also noted that nearly 14% of women experienced either a serious adverse event or required a repeat abortion attempt after taking the abortion pill. Serious adverse events include hemorrhaging, blood transfusions, emergency room visits, and conditions like sepsis. These findings suggest that the actual rate of complications may be higher than previously reported by the FDA.
The authors of the analysis, Ryan Anderson and Jamie Bryan Hall, recommend that the FDA reinstate stricter safety protocols for mifepristone, including mandatory in-person consultations and comprehensive reporting of side effects. They argue that such measures would better protect women’s health by ensuring proper medical oversight during the abortion process.
The FDA had previously relaxed regulations, allowing mifepristone to be obtained online without an in-person visit. This change has raised concerns about the adequacy of medical supervision and the potential risks to women who may not receive appropriate care during the abortion process.
As medication abortions now constitute a significant portion of all abortions in the United States, the safety and efficacy of mifepristone remain critical issues. The findings from this analysis underscore the need for rigorous safety standards and thorough patient care protocols to ensure women’s health and well-being.
