SCOTUS delays abortion pill restrictions through Friday

The Supreme Court on Wednesday delayed the implementation of restrictions on the availability of abortion drug mifepristone through at least Friday.

Associate Justice Samuel Alito announced the delay, according to The Hill. Alito is responsible for appeals from the 5th Circuit.

In early April, Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk determined that the Food and Drug Administration failed to properly review safety concerns associated with the drug when it approved it in 2000.

The 5th Circuit partially restored access to the drug, but imposed some limitations, barring its distribution by mail and allowing its prescription for woman who are at most 7-weeks pregnant. The Department of Justice then appealed to the Supreme Court.

Mifepristone is one of two drugs used in combination by which a woman may terminate a pregnancy via pill. The other drug, Misoprostol, remains available through a conventional prescription.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.