Health secretary says he will do "everything" to keep abortion pill on the market
Xavier Becerra maintained that in Washington, all options are "on the table" after a federal judge ruled in favor of revoking the authorization of mifepristone.
Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra assured that the federal government will do "everything" to keep the abortion pill known as mifepristone available in the country's pharmacies after a Texas judge ruled in favor of revoking its authorization:
In an interview on CNN, Becerra said that in Washington all options are "on the table," although he did not elaborate on whether the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should ignore the ruling and keep the drug on the market.
Federal judge overturns pill approval
Texas federal Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk ordered Thursday that the FDA's 2000 approval of the drug be overturned. That is, he issued a ruling revoking the approval of mifepristone nationwide on the grounds that the FDA violated proper procedure and failed to take into account the "negative impact" of the drug on the health of people taking it:
Despite this, the ruling may be appealed by government officials within a period of one week.
Judge Kacsmaryk's "reckless decision"
The secretary called the order issued by Kacsmaryk a "reckless decision" and defended the measure as something "unbecoming of the United States":
Becerra also accused Kacsmaryk of wanting to impose "his preference, his personal opinion for that of scientists and medical professionals" and stated that "for the good of America and for the good of women, we have to prevail on this."