Some North Carolina abortion pill restrictions are unlawful, federal judge says

By GARY D. ROBERTSON
Associated Press

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A federal judge has ruled that some of North Carolina government’s restrictions on dispensing abortion pills are unlawful. A U.S. district judge granted a partial victory Tuesday to a physician who performs abortions and last year sued state and local prosecutors and state health and medical officials. The requirements include that only doctors prescribe and provide the drug mifepristone. Eagles wrote that those rules frustrate the goal of Congress to use federal regulators to ensure the drug is distributed safely. Republican legislative leaders defended the restrictions and could appeal the decision. The FDA approved mifepristone in 2000 to end pregnancy, when used in combination with a second drug.