Issues, Etc. The FDA and the Dangers of Chemical Abortion – Dr. Ryan Anderson, 1/7/26 (0071)
Jan 7, 2026
In this discussion, Dr. Ryan Anderson, President of the Ethics and Public Policy Center and a key voice on abortion policy, dives into the dangers of chemical abortion and the alleged delays in FDA safety reviews. He highlights troubling findings from an EPPC study revealing a much higher rate of serious adverse events than the FDA reported. Anderson argues that reinstating in-person visits for abortions is crucial for women's safety, linking it to a broader vision for restoring health care in America. He also addresses critiques of his research, reinforcing the need for action.
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Telehealth Removed Safety Checks
- The FDA removed in-person doctor visit requirements and allowed telehealth mail-order abortion during COVID and made it permanent.
- This change enabled widespread access to the abortion pill and circumvents state pro-life laws.
Insurance Claims Reveal Higher Risks
- EPPC's claims-data study tracked women for 45 days after taking mifepristone and found an 11% serious-adverse-event rate.
- That rate is about 22 times higher than the FDA label's under‑0.5% figure.
Politics Shouldn't Guide Drug Safety
- Delaying FDA review for political reasons endangers women's health and contradicts the agency's safety mandate.
- Polling suggests reinstating in-person visits is politically popular across party lines as a women's safety measure.
