Journal publisher retracts studies used by Texas judge who ruled to suspend use of abortion pill

The academic publisher Sage Publications has retracted studies used in a Texas judge’s ruling on the abortion pill mifepristone. The retractions were due to unreliable data and conflicts of interest regarding the authors’ ties to the anti-abortion movement. The studies were published in the journal Health Services Research and Managerial Epidemiology. The judge cited one study to suggest that adverse events from medication abortion can overwhelm the medical system. Another study stated that medication abortion could lead to ER visits and underreporting of adverse events. The US Supreme Court will hear arguments on mifepristone in March. Medication abortion is the most common form of abortion in the US and considered safe and effective. Sage retracted the studies after finding conflicts of interest and lack of scientific rigor. The Charlotte Lozier Institute, mentioned in the article, has not responded to requests for comment.