Earlier this year, AAPLOG released a first-of-its-kind undercover investigation examining the reality of obtaining abortion pills online. This was the first time an OB/GYN, Dr. Christina Francis, went undercover to experience just how easily these powerful drugs can be ordered and to evaluate the safeguards, or lack thereof, surrounding their distribution.
What she found was alarming.
The investigation revealed a system with no oversight, no verification, and seemingly no direct involvement from a medical professional. Women are often expected to determine for themselves whether they have medical conditions that could put them at increased risk for serious complications—including an ectopic pregnancy, severe anemia, bleeding disorders, or the use of blood-thinning medications—and to understand just how serious those risks are. The process also allows minors, abusers, and traffickers to obtain these drugs with few questions asked and little accountability.
The findings were significant enough to earn national attention through an exclusive feature with The Daily Wire. In just 90 seconds, it is clear to see how quickly and easily abortion pills can be obtained online—even in a state where abortion is largely illegal.
AAPLOG developed a comprehensive investigative package designed to equip physicians, policymakers, and the public with the facts. The package includes the short-form video featured in The Daily Wire, a full-length investigation video, bonus footage documenting Dr. Francis receiving the abortion pills, and an in-depth investigative report detailing the findings.
The investigation also prompted action. Following the release, AAPLOG Action sent a letter to Senator Bill Cassidy, Senator Mike Crapo, Representative Brett Guthrie, and Representative James Comer, urging federal leaders to use their authority to restore commonsense safeguards for abortion pill distribution and strengthen protections for both mothers and their preborn children.
Even as abortion pills account for roughly 70% of abortions in the United States, many Americans remain unaware of the risks associated with their increasingly unregulated distribution. Education and awareness are critical to ensuring women receive accurate information about the potential medical complications and limitations of mail-order abortion drugs.
We encourage our members to explore the investigative website, watch the videos, read the report, and share these resources with others. Whether online, in your community, or in conversations with patients and colleagues, these findings can help inform an important discussion about the real-world consequences of unrestricted abortion pill distribution.
If you would like to report mifepristone complications that you’ve witnessed in your practice, please fill out this form. Please let us know if you are willing (in a deidentified way) to share these stories – it is crucial that policy makers here about the toll this is taking on our patients.
