Hawley in the Capitol in June. Photo: Kayla Bartkowski / Getty Images
Sen. Josh Hawley is renewing calls for a safety review of the widely used abortion drug mifepristone and questioning whether FDA Commissioner Marty Makary is following through on a pledge to evaluate the latest data.
Why it matters: New findings could have wide-reaching effects on whether mifepristone remains widely available in states that haven't enacted restrictions.
What they're saying: Hawley told Axios this week that he had heard "nothing" from Makary on the status of the review, which Hawley himself disclosed in early June.
- "I think it's not a good sign, considering that he promised me he would do a full-scale review," Hawley said. "[HHS Secretary] Bobby Kennedy said the same."
Catch up quick: Hawley pointed to a recent Politico interview in which Makary said he had "no preconceived plans" to change federal policies on mifepristone while adding that he was still listening "to folks that say they have concerns about the drug."
- Makary also referenced an ongoing review of safety data on mifepristone, which he called "a requirement from the prior administrations" and that "you always have to be open-minded" and "listen to different opinions and make decisions based on what you think is the right thing to do."
- "His interview from my perspective was very disappointing, because it sounded very different from what he's told me," Hawley said.
- "I don't really like it when they say one thing to me at the committee hearing and then say something totally different later on."
HHS didn't respond to a request for comment on the status of the review.
- Mifepristone has been approved since 2000, and many studies have found it to be safe and effective.
- But anti-abortion groups, who say there are major safety concerns with the pill, generally want restrictions on its use reimposed by the FDA. Some have argued that the agency's approval of the drug should be revoked.
Hawley said he sent Makary a follow-up letter a few days ago asking about the timeline of the review and what data is being considered.
- "I'd like to know what evidence they're considering.… I would just like some clarity on what they're going to do, when they're going to do it, when we can expect results."
- Hawley also wrote Kennedy last week urging him to reverse the current policy on mifepristone prescription, which allows it to be sent through the mail and prescribed via telehealth.
