OLYMPIA, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson, along with attorneys general in 17 other states, have asked a federal judge in Spokane to rule against FDA restrictions imposed on mifepristone.

Mifepristone is used for both medical abortions and miscarriages. They argue that the drug has been singled out by the FDA and excessively regulated. Ferguson added that the number of restrictions on the drug pose privacy and safety risks for patients.

Under one of the classifications, mifepristone is regulated in the same category as certain cancer drugs and high-dose sedatives. Specific credentials and authorizations are also required for pharmacies to fill mifepristone prescriptions.

The initial lawsuit was filed last year, and Ferguson recently requested the case be decided on by a judge without going to trial.