Court lets abortion law take effect in Texas
AUSTIN, Texas – A federal appeals court on Thursday ruled that most of Texas’ tough new abortion restrictions can take effect immediately – a decision that means as least 12 clinics won’t be able to perform the procedure starting as soon as Friday.
A panel of judges at the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans said the law requiring doctors to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital can take effect while a lawsuit challenging the restrictions moves forward. The panel issued the ruling three days after District Judge Lee Yeakel said the provision serves no medical purpose.
In its 20-page ruling, the appeals court panel acknowledged that the provision “may increase the cost of accessing an abortion provider and decrease the number of physicians available to perform abortions.” However, the panel said that the U.S. Supreme Court has held that having “the incidental effect of making it more difficult or more expensive to procure an abortion cannot be enough to invalidate” a law that serves a valid purpose.
The panel left in place a portion of Yeakel’s order that prevents the state from enforcing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration protocol for abortion-inducing drugs in cases where the woman is between 50 and 63 days into her pregnancy.
FDA proposing rule to ease drug shortages
WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration announced a new proposal Thursday to try and head off more shortages of crucial medications that have disrupted care at hospitals and clinics nationwide.
Under the proposed rule, companies that make medically important prescription medicines would have to notify the FDA six months ahead of any changes that could disrupt the U.S. supply. That includes plans to discontinue a product or manufacturing changes that could slow production.
“The FDA continues to take all steps it can within its authority, but the FDA alone cannot solve shortages. Success depends upon a commitment from all stakeholders,” said FDA’s top drug regulator Dr. Janet Woodcock, in a statement.
FDA leaders say advance warnings help the agency work with companies to resolve supply problems or find alternate producers for drugs that are being phased out.
Associated Press
