Sen. Josh Hawley is escalating scrutiny of abortion pill manufacturers, launching a formal investigation into two companies that produce mifepristone, a drug widely used in medication abortions across the United States.
In letters sent to Danco Laboratories and GenBioPro, Hawley—who chairs the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism—outlined concerns about the drug’s safety profile and the companies’ handling of related risks.
He cited what he described as growing evidence of serious complications, including hemorrhage, infection, and sepsis, and called for a closer examination of what manufacturers knew and disclosed to regulators and the public.
The investigation will require both companies to provide internal documents, including adverse event reports and related data, by late April. The scope of the request suggests a broader effort to assess not only the drug’s safety record but also the regulatory and corporate processes surrounding its distribution.
This move follows Hawley’s introduction of new legislation aimed at banning mifepristone for abortion use altogether. The proposed bill would revoke the drug’s FDA approval and create legal pathways for women to pursue lawsuits against manufacturers.
It builds on earlier efforts by Hawley to impose stricter safeguards and increase accountability for providers and distributors involved in medication abortions.
Mifepristone has become a central focus in the national abortion debate, particularly since it accounts for a majority of abortions in the United States. Supporters of the drug, including many medical organizations, maintain that it is safe and effective when used as directed and point to extensive clinical data supporting its approval. Critics, including Hawley, argue that risks have been underreported or insufficiently addressed, and that further scrutiny is warranted.
The investigation also intersects with ongoing legal and political battles over abortion policy more broadly. Since the rollback of federal abortion protections, states and federal lawmakers have pursued divergent approaches, with some expanding access and others seeking tighter restrictions.
As the inquiry moves forward, the outcome could influence both regulatory oversight and legislative efforts related to medication abortion.
