In a startling accusation, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. alleged that the Biden administration distorted safety data concerning the abortion pill mifepristone, as Breitbart reports.

During a Senate hearing, Kennedy Jr. called for a comprehensive review following a new study showing increased complication rates.

The concerns came to light during a Senate Finance Committee hearing that initially aimed to scrutinize the Trump administration's health policies.

The dialogue shifted when Sen. James Lankford raised specific inquiries about the handling of mifepristone, a drug used in medication abortions, under the Biden administration.

Drug safety, distribution questioned

Lankford pointed out recent policy changes that might have altered the drug’s allocation for elective abortions. He noted, "There were a lot of changes in the allocation of Mifepristone for elective abortions under the Biden administration."

Kennedy responded by affirming an ongoing review of the drug, prompted by new data suggesting significant safety risks. "We’re getting data in all the time, new data that we’re reviewing," Kennedy said, addressing the concerns during the HELP Committee hearing.

He further explained that the review was based on a concerning report from the Ethics and Public Policy Center.

This study analyzed over 865,000 cases of prescribed mifepristone abortions from 2017 to 2023, finding a severe complication rate of 10.93%, dramatically higher than previously reported rates.

Study findings emerge

The findings of the study, described as "alarming" by Kennedy during his discussion with Senator Josh Hawley, suggested that the complication rates were 22 times higher than earlier figures had indicated.

Kennedy emphasized the need for "honest science" in evaluating the safety of the drug.

Amid the controversy, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary also communicated to Hawley, reaffirming the agency's commitment to drug safety. "The Agency carefully evaluates the scientific data, leveraging rigorous science to make informed decisions," Makary wrote.

He also confirmed continued close monitoring of post-marketing safety data on mifepristone, reinforcing the FDA's dedication to ensuring the safety and efficacy of the medication used in early pregnancy terminations.

Medication abortions take center stage

The spotlight on mifepristone coincides with its increasing use in medication abortions, which, according to the Guttmacher Institute, represented 63% of all abortions in the formal U.S. healthcare system in 2023.

This rate marks a significant rise from 53% in 2020 and 39% in 2017, indicating a growing preference for medication over surgical abortion methods among women in the U.S.

The science behind Mifepristone involves blocking progesterone, a hormone crucial for maintaining pregnancy, thereby terminating the pregnancy when used in conjunction with another drug, misoprostol.

Administration's response awaited

In light of these developments, Kennedy Jr.'s stark allegations have ignited a significant debate on both the scientific community's handling of drug safety data and the political influences potentially affecting healthcare policies.

Lankford’s scrutiny and Kennedy’s correspondence with other political figures underscore the ongoing complexities surrounding the use and regulation of Mifepristone within governmental structures.

With Kennedy pledging to keep the Senate informed about the progress of the review, observers and stakeholders await further details and outcomes that might influence future policies on medication abortions.