July 23, 2013 – North Dakota Judge Wickham Corwin has ruled against the 2011 law that would have effectively banned medication abortions in the state. Judge Corwin stated that the law is ‘simply wrong-headed’ and does not ‘logically address any concerns’ or do anything ‘to promote women's health.’ The law orders that abortion-inducing drugs meet Food and Drug Administration protocols, the label must state that the drugs are intended for abortion, and misoprostol cannot be used.
The Center for Reproductive Rights filed a lawsuit on behalf of Red River Women’s Clinic in Fargo, the sole abortion clinic in North Dakota. Ibis’s Vice President for Research Dr. Daniel Grossman testified as an expert witness, discussing the prevalence of off-label drug use and the safety of medication abortion. We are pleased that Judge Corwin sided with science over politics, and that Ibis played a part in enabling the women of North Dakota to continue to access medication abortion.
Judge Corwin issued his ruling on July 15. North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem plans to appeal to the Supreme Court.
North Dakota judge rules against medication abortion law
July 2013
July 2013