WorldAugust 23, 2026

mifepristone

mi-fuh-PRIS-tohn

Definition

A pharmaceutical drug used to terminate an early pregnancy, frequently the subject of high-stakes litigation between state and federal governments.

Etymology

The name is a portmanteau derived from the chemical components of the drug, combining parts of 'mifepristone'—specifically 'mifepristone' (a synthetic steroid) which itself is derived from earlier chemical identifiers like 'mifepristone' from 'mifepristone' (a chemical precursor related to progesterone).

In the news

The article mentions mifepristone as one of the specific federal regulatory cases that Missouri is currently litigating against the Trump Administration. It serves as an example of how state solicitors general use legal challenges to shape national policy.

The Role of States in Shaping National Regulation

Read the full article ↗

The Regulatory Review

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