Federal appeals court temperarily blocks mifepristone orders by mail

According to multiple national reports, a federal appeals court has temporarily blocked a federal ruling that allows mail orders of mifepristone.^1,2

According to an article from CNN, the ruling from the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals allows the temporary reinstatement of a nationwide requirement that the abortion pills be collected in person.¹

The ruling follows a lawsuit filed by Louisiana in 2025 against the FDA after the Trump administration did not act on calls to reinstate in-person dispensing. In January 2026, the Trump administration sought a pause in the lawsuit. At the time, the Justice Department’s filing for the pause stated if the case moves forward while the FDA is actively investigating current regulations would “judicial resources because FDA’s own review may eliminate any need for the Court’s.”³

Now, following a unanimous ruling of a 3-judge panel, mifepristone could be severely less accessible to those who have an abortion via medication, which accounts for approximately two-thirds of all abortions in the United States.^1,2

Danco Laboratories, the manufacturer of mifepristone, has asked the 5th Circuit Court of Louisiana to put the ruling on hold for 7 days so it can be appealed, according to CNN.¹

The temporary blocking, and the many attempts to block mail-order delivery of mifepristone, comes after the initial 2023 FDA regulation that removed the in-person requirement.²

In a statement, Molly Meegan, JD, the Chief Legal Officer of the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, wrote:

“Mifepristone is one of the most studied medications on the market and in conclusively safe, including when prescribed through telehealth and dispensed via mail. The Court’s decision to restrict access to this medication infringes on patients’ access to health care, including mifepristone, should be available to the women of America without unnecessary burdens and barriers; they deserve no less.”⁴

References:

1. Sneed T. Appeals court blocks FDA rule that allows women to obtain abortion drugs by mail. CNN. Published May 1, 2026. Accessed May 2, 2026. https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/01/politics/mifepristone-access-fda-ruling
2. Wiessner D. US court blocks mail-order access to abortion drugs, for now. Reuters. May 1, 2026. May 2, 2026. https://www.reuters.com/world/us-court-blocks-mail-order-access-abortion-drugs-now-2026-05-01/
3. Fitch J. Trump administration seeking pause on Louisiana lawsuit that could limit abortion pill access. Contemporary OB/GYN. Published January 28, 2026. Accessed May 2, 2026. https://www.contemporaryobgyn.net/view/trump-administration-seeking-pause-on-louisiana-lawsuit-that-could-limit-abortion-pill-access
4. Statement from ACOG Chief Legal Officer, Molly Meegan, JD on the fifth US circuit court of appeals decision on mifepristone. Instagram. Published May 2, 2026. Accessed May 2, 2026. https://www.instagram.com/p/DX2JsWDCQu-/