North Carolina doctor sues over abortion medication restrictions News
© WikiMedia (Matt Hrkac)
North Carolina doctor sues over abortion medication restrictions

North Carolina obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr. Amy Bryant Wednesday challenged state laws restricting the prescription and use of medication abortion drug mifepristone.

Bryant argues that state laws cannot frustrate the objectives of federal law. As the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) allows the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate medication, Bryant contends that additional restrictions imposed on the prescription of mifepristone by North Carolina are in conflict with the FDCA.

Under recently amended FDA rules, mifepristone must be prescribed by a certified prescriber but can now be dispensed by certified retail pharmacies. Under the new rules, health care providers no longer need to see patients in person and can prescribe the medication via telehealth. However, North Carolina law requires a 72-hour waiting period, counseling and an ultrasound, in some instances, prior to the use of abortion medications.

Bryant stated:

For North Carolina to impose restrictions that go beyond those FDA deemed warranted as part of its regulatory balancing, including restrictions that FDA specifically rejected, frustrates the objectives of federal law… Simply put, North Carolina cannot stand in the shoes of FDA to impose restrictions on medication access that FDA determined are not appropriate…

Pharmaceutical company and mifepristone manufacturer GenBioProLegal also launched action over abortion medication on Wednesday. The GenBioPro lawsuit alleges that West Virginia law restricting the prescription of mifepristone also conflicts with FDA rules. Although abortion is banned in West Virginia, the suit alleges that if the ban is deemed unconstitutional, mifepristone restrictions will be in force once more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Pope Urban II sparks First Crusade

Pope Urban II threw his support behind what would become the First Crusade on November 27, 1095 during the Council of Clairmont. The Pope urged the council's participants to render aid to the Byzantine Empire, which was being attacked by the Seljuks. Pope Urban called for a wide coalition of rich and poor to combat the threat, which eventually resulted in the conquest of much of the Muslim-controlled Levant by the Crusaders and the establishment of the Crusader States. Read Pope Urban's address.  

Catholic Code of Canon Law revised

On November 27, 1983, the revised Code of Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church went into effect. Learn more about the history of Canon Law from Professor Kenneth Pennington of the Catholic University of America's Columbus School of Law.

Alfred Nobel creates Nobel Prize in his will

On November 27, 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his will, creating the Nobel Prize. Learn more about the history of the Nobel Prize and the Nobel Commission.