RFK Jr.’s demand for a full FDA review of abortion drug mifepristone reveals a massive discrepancy in reported side effects, prompting fears of a long-standing public health crisis.
At a Glance
- RFK Jr. orders a full FDA reevaluation of abortion drug mifepristone
- New study finds over 10% of users suffered serious side effects
- Data shows adverse events are 22 times higher than FDA label claims
- Over 5% of women required a second abortion procedure
- Lawmakers question drug’s safety and regulatory oversight
A Warning Unheeded?
A new wave of scrutiny has descended on mifepristone, the widely used abortion pill, after Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ordered a comprehensive review of its safety. The decision follows a Senate hearing where researchers presented unsettling new evidence that contradicts decades of government reassurances.
According to a study conducted by the Ethics & Public Policy Center, serious complications—such as hemorrhage, sepsis, or infection—occurred in over 10% of women who used mifepristone between 2017 and 2023. The analysis, drawn from insurance claims for nearly 866,000 prescriptions, suggests that the real-world risk profile may be far more dangerous than previously disclosed by the FDA. The current label pegs such risks at just 0.5%.
Watch a report: RFK Jr. Orders Urgent FDA Review of Mifepristone.
Senator Josh Hawley called the findings “shocking,” echoing calls from RFK Jr. to update the drug’s warning label. “Clearly,” Kennedy emphasized, “the label should be changed.” With over 5% of patients requiring a second abortion procedure, confidence in the drug’s reliability is eroding across party lines.
Political Fallout and Public Health Risks
Mifepristone has been on the U.S. market since 2000, but recent years have seen looser restrictions on its distribution. In 2021, the FDA dropped the in-person dispensing requirement, allowing telehealth prescriptions and mail-order access. This shift—celebrated by reproductive rights advocates—now faces backlash amid growing concerns over regulatory failures.
RFK Jr.’s directive challenges both the medical establishment and regulatory complacency. Though a lifelong Democrat, he’s earned unexpected praise from pro-life conservatives for focusing on the drug’s medical integrity rather than its political symbolism. “We applaud Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for his swift directive,” said Doug Truax, an outspoken critic of abortion drug protocols.
The move also underscores Kennedy’s broader campaign against what he calls “institutional dishonesty” in federal health agencies. He’s called for HHS budget restructuring, promising streamlined oversight without compromising safety. While Kennedy opposes state-level abortion bans, he insists that access must be matched with reliable data and accountability.
The Path Ahead
The FDA has yet to publicly respond, but officials confirm that Kennedy has tasked agency director Marty Makary with leading the review. Whether this will lead to label revisions, restricted access, or a rollback of telehealth policies remains uncertain.
Still, for the tens of thousands of women who may have suffered complications without informed consent, Kennedy’s order may mark the first step in rectifying a two-decade regulatory blind spot. With bipartisan interest rising, the political momentum for drug safety reform appears to be gaining steam—whether the FDA wants it or not.
