Judge Pauses Mifepristone Lawsuit Until FDA Review Completes

A federal judge has paused the most sweeping lawsuit challenging nationwide access to the abortion pill mifepristone, delaying the case until December 1 or until the Food and Drug Administration completes an ongoing safety review of the drug, whichever comes first. The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge Reed O'Connor of the Northern District of Texas, means the legal challenge will not be resolved before the November midterm elections. The lawsuit, filed in December 2025 by the attorneys general of Texas and Florida, seeks to overturn the FDA's original approval of mifepristone from 2000 and subsequent decisions that eased access. Both states agreed to the Justice Department's request for the stay. In the same order, Judge O'Connor denied a motion to dismiss the case from generic manufacturer GenBioPro and distributor Danco Laboratories, which intervened as defendants earlier this year. For patients, clinicians, and pharmacies, the immediate impact is unchanged. Mifepristone remains approved, prescriptions remain valid, and current dispensing rules stay in force.