Mifepristone is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to end pregnancy up to 10 weeks. In recent years, the FDA has loosened restrictions to allow patients to be assessed via telehealth without an ultrasound, and get their medication through the mail. Researchers at UC San Francisco’s Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH) have examined these issues and found that the FDA’s regulations are both safe and effective.

Explore the latest news below.


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The U.S. Supreme Court Weighs Mifepristone for Abortion Care

The ruling could roll back clinicians’ ability to prescribe medication as part of telehealth services.

See why it matters

An ultrasound machine and an examination bed at a clinic.

 

New Study Shows Medication Abortion Without Ultrasound To Be Safe

Ultrasound is not necessary for medication abortion, and patients do equally well whether they are seen in person or via telehealth, and whether they receive their medication in person or through a mail order pharmacy.

What the evidence shows

An illustration of a set of pills and an envelope, showing mail order medication.

 

Sending Abortion Pills Through the Mail is Timely and Effective

A study examines delivery method as the U.S. Supreme Court considers a case that could end mail-order dispensing.

Read about the benefits

An illustration of a hand holding a phone that shows two pills, demonstrating safe telemedicine practices such as digital prescriptions.

 

Telehealth is as Safe as a Visit to the Clinic for Abortion Pills

A large national study found that video visits, texting and mailing pills are all effective, as the U.S. Supreme Court considers limiting access to telemedicine abortion.

How telehealth promotes access

Xavier Becerra (left) speaks to a crowd in a light-filled atrium at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hostpial. Daniel Grossman stands to his right. In the middle is a large orange banner with the UCSF expression that reads "Imagine. Create."

 

Research Can Help to Protect Access to Abortion, Biden Secretary Says

At the start of 2024, United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra met with researchers leading UCSF’s Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health program to learn about their work.

How research can influence policy

Diana Greene Foster poses for a headshot wearing a necklace. There is grass in the background

 

Diana Greene Foster Named to Most Influential Researchers List

Her groundbreaking Turnaway Study on abortion became essential reading after the supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade

More on her groundbreaking work

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Model Shows Where Women Lost Access to Abortion After Dobbs

Research from 2022 found that the share of U.S. women who needed to travel an hour or more to get care doubled.

Where women lost access

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A graphic pattern of multicolored waves.