News Briefs: Roe v. Wade Reversal Causes Methotrexate Access Issues

Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent reversal of Roe v. Wade, some people with autoimmune conditions are having access issues with certain medications, including methotrexate, according to Medical News Today. While that drug can be used to treat conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and some cancers, it also is used to induce abortions to terminate ectopic pregnancies. Some pharmacists are not dispensing it for fear of being charged with a crime in states that have banned it for ending pregnancies. It also can lead to birth defects, so people of child-bearing age are advised to be on two forms of birth control while taking it, and some rheumatologists are no longer prescribing it due to the risk of accidental pregnancy and the inability for patients to get an abortion. The American College of Rheumatology released a statement noting that it is “aware of the emerging concerns surrounding access to needed treatments such as methotrexate after the recent decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. We are following this issue closely to determine if rheumatology providers and patients are experiencing any widespread difficulty accessing methotrexate, or if any initial disruptions are potentially temporary due to the independent actions of pharmacists trying to figure out what is and isn’t allowed where they practice.”

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