US supreme court blocks ruling limiting access to abortion pill

Federal judge in Texas ruled in early April to suspend FDA-approved mifepristone used in more than half of abortions in US

The supreme court decided on Friday to temporarily block a lower court ruling that had placed significant restrictions on the abortion drug mifepristone.

The justices granted emergency requests by the justice department and the pill's manufacturer, Danco Laboratories, to halt a preliminary injunction issued by a federal judge in Texas. The judge's order would significantly limit the availability of the medication as litigation proceeds in a challenge by anti-abortion groups.