The chairman of the Pro-Life Committee of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has commented on the appeals court ruling regarding the use of chemical abortion drugs.

“The 5th Circuit was right to recognize the dangers of unrestricted chemical abortion to women’s health and safety,” Bishop Michael Burbidge said in a statement. “We are grateful for the restoration of protections, and any limitation on the use of these lethal drugs.” 

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit last week upheld a recent district court ruling that reversed the FDA's decision to relax access and safety standards for the abortion drug, mifepristone. However, the court of appeals overturned a portion of the lower court's ruling that would have suspended the drug's approval for the market while the case is ongoing, the USCCB said in recapping the legal action.

“We hope that the final ruling will result in the removal of chemical abortion from the market altogether,” Burbidge said in the statement.

The appeals court has made several changes to the regulations regarding the abortion drug, mifepristone. It has halted the mailing of the drug, reinstated the requirement for doctor visits to obtain the drug, and reduced the time frame in which women can take it to the seventh week of pregnancy. Additionally, the approval of the generic version of the drug by GenBioPro in 2019 has been blocked, CNBC reported. 

The national legal fight over mifepristone could have a significant impact on the availability of the drug, even in states where abortion is legal. Mifepristone, which is usually combined with misoprostol, is currently the most widely used method of abortion in the United States, making up half of all abortions, CNBC reported.

"Abortion is never the right choice for a difficult or unexpected pregnancy, as it always ends one life and risks another,” Burbidge said. “We pray ardently that our nation will authentically support and accompany women so that ending the lives of their children alone in their own homes will be unthinkable.”