Abortion pill to stay on the market until U.S. Supreme Court ruling after appeals court order

WASHINGTON —  A federal appeals court ruled Wednesday the abortion pill can stay on the market, but it agreed with a lower court that ultimately use should revert to prescribing and dosage instructions that were in place before 2016.

However, that appeals court ruling will immediately be put on hold until the U.S. Supreme Court decides whether to take the case, under a decision the high court released in April.

The ruling means mifepristone, the first of two drugs used in medication abortion, remains legal and on the market in states that haven’t banned it, and can be used under modifications approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The pharmaceutical, originally authorized in 2000, is approved for use up to 10 weeks gestation.

The three-judge panel from the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, which issued the ruling, heard oral arguments in May after the federal government appealed a district judge’s ruling.

This is a developing story that will be updated.