Louisiana AG Sues FDA Over Abortion Pill Regulations

Attorney General Liz Murrill seeks stricter oversight and in-person dispensing for abortion medications

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has filed a lawsuit against the FDA, challenging the federal agency's regulations around abortion pills. Murrill is seeking to implement stricter medical oversight and require in-person dispensing for medications like mifepristone and misoprostol, which are currently allowed to be mailed into the state. The lawsuit argues that the FDA's current policies bypass Louisiana's state-level protections that classify these drugs as controlled substances requiring a valid prescription.

Why it matters

This legal challenge highlights the ongoing tensions between state and federal regulations around abortion access, particularly the use of abortion-inducing medications. Louisiana officials claim the current FDA rules have led to a "dramatic uptick" in abortions in the state, as out-of-state physicians can mail the pills to residents, circumventing Louisiana's more restrictive laws.

The details

The lawsuit, filed in the Western District of Louisiana, seeks to require in-person dispensing and stricter medical oversight for mifepristone and misoprostol. Murrill argued the federal government's current stance on mailing these drugs bypasses state-level protections, as Louisiana classifies the medications as Schedule IV controlled substances that require a valid prescription. During the federal court hearing, Murrill's office provided data claiming mifepristone is used in around 1,000 abortions per month in Louisiana, facilitated by out-of-state physicians.

  • The lawsuit was filed on February 25, 2026.
  • Louisiana classified mifepristone and misoprostol as Schedule IV controlled substances in October 2024.

The players

Liz Murrill

The Louisiana Attorney General leading the lawsuit against the FDA over abortion pill regulations.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The federal agency being sued by the Louisiana Attorney General over its regulations allowing abortion medications to be mailed into the state.

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What they’re saying

“The in-person dispensing requirement protects women, and the unborn. And there's absolutely no reason why the FDA should have ever removed that requirement.”

— Liz Murrill, Louisiana Attorney General (KLFY)

“This is not about the first stone pill itself. It's about the removal of in-person dispensing requirements that the Biden administration effectuated by rule during the during COVID. Basically.”

— Liz Murrill, Louisiana Attorney General (KLFY)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide whether to grant Murrill's office's request for preliminary relief to implement stricter regulations on abortion pills in Louisiana.

The takeaway

This lawsuit reflects the ongoing legal battles over abortion access, particularly the use of medication abortion, as states like Louisiana seek to impose more restrictive policies than the federal government. The outcome could have significant implications for how abortion pills are regulated and accessed in the state.