Pushing Back with Pills — Enhancing Access to Reproductive Health Drugs after Dobbs

This perspective article examines the escalating role of pharmaceuticals in safeguarding reproductive rights following the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade. With medication abortions (using mifepristone and misoprostol) now constituting over half of U.S. abortions, the article critiques federal and state barriers to access, including the FDA’s restrictive REMS for mifepristone. The author proposes actionable reforms: eliminating unnecessary REMS requirements (e.g., mandatory ultrasounds), adopting pharmacist prescribing protocols for abortion pills and contraceptives, and transitioning birth control pills to over the counter status. Highlighting innovations like telemedicine and state level initiatives, the piece underscores how regulatory flexibility could mitigate the harms of abortion bans while navigating legal uncertainties.

This perspective article examines the escalating role of pharmaceuticals in safeguarding reproductive rights following the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade. With medication abortions (using mifepristone and misoprostol) now constituting over half of U.S. abortions, the article critiques federal and state barriers to access, including the FDA’s restrictive REMS for mifepristone. The author proposes actionable reforms: eliminating unnecessary REMS requirements (e.g., mandatory ultrasounds), adopting pharmacist prescribing protocols for abortion pills and contraceptives, and transitioning birth control pills to over the counter status. Highlighting innovations like telemedicine and state level initiatives, the piece underscores how regulatory flexibility could mitigate the harms of abortion bans while navigating legal uncertainties.