Missouri Sues Planned Parenthood Over Alleged Misleading Claims on Abortion Pill Safety

On Wednesday, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey initiated legal action against Planned Parenthood Federation of America, alleging that the national abortion provider has been consistently deceiving women regarding the safety of chemical abortion pills to boost profits and cut expenses.

A lawsuit has been submitted in state circuit court, alleging that Planned Parenthood has minimized the dangers associated with mifepristone, the medication utilized in chemical abortions. This claim is supported by findings from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and peer-reviewed research, which indicate a significant occurrence of serious complications, including hemorrhaging and infections. 

The legal action contends that Planned Parenthood has asserted the medication is “safer than Tylenol,” a statement that Bailey has described as a “dangerous and deceptive claim.”

“This is focused on ensuring the well-being and safety of women in Missouri,” Bailey stated in a press release. “We are ensuring that Planned Parenthood is held responsible for the misinformation it spreads to women in Missouri and throughout the country.” “Everyone is accountable to the law.”

A recent lawsuit references an April study indicating that over 10% of women using the abortion pill face significant adverse effects. The legal action also highlights the public apprehension expressed by FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, who indicated in June that the agency would assess the safety of mifepristone in light of increasing evidence and investigative results.

The lawsuit alleges breaches of the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act, a law designed to protect consumers, and seeks nearly $2 million in civil penalties. The state is seeking restitution of up to $1,000 for each Missouri woman who obtained the abortion pill from Planned Parenthood in the last five years, along with reimbursements to the state’s Medicaid program.

Chemical abortions now represent approximately 50% of all abortions in the U.S., a statistic that has seen a significant increase since the Supreme Court decided to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022. 

Despite many states implementing bans or strict limitations on abortions, abortion pills continue to be legally available in a significant portion of the country, albeit facing growing examination.