Mifepristone: US Supreme Court preserves abortion drug access

The US Supreme Court has preserved access to a commonly used abortion pill, ruling the drug can remain available while a legal case continues.

In a split decision, it also rejected restrictions on mifepristone implemented by a lower court, essentially maintaining the status quo.

The future of the drug was called into question after a Texas judge sought to invalidate its long-standing approval.

The case could have wide-ranging implications for abortion access.

It comes after the Supreme Court - which has a 6-3 conservative supermajority - overturned Roe v Wade in June last year, ending the nationwide guarantee to abortion and giving states the power to ban the procedure. read more