Meet MiMi
Introducing a new concept designed for convenience and access: over-the-counter abortion pills. MiMi is not yet available—but it’s a dream that could one day be reality.
Are you looking for abortion care?
If you or someone you care about needs abortion care now, here is where you can find information about getting abortion pills and/or getting to clinics:
What is MiMi?
MiMi is a conceptual design for a future over-the-counter medication abortion kit containing instructions, abortion pills, and a pregnancy test. MiMi is not yet available—but it’s a dream that could one day be reality.
MiMi would include two medicines, mifepristone and misoprostol, for medication abortion. Currently, abortion pills are available through in-person clinics, telehealth services with mail delivery, and community support networks, depending on state laws. But the MiMi design represents a way that medication abortion could be available in the future on the shelf of a pharmacy or grocery store without a prescription.
The MiMi design illustrates the simplicity and safety of medication abortion. In addition to the information on the box, there is a leaflet inside the box with clear instructions about how to use MiMi. The experience is designed to help people understand each step clearly, with simple language and supportive information.
Why develop the MiMi design now?
MiMi was created to see how an over-the-counter medication abortion product could work for people who need abortion care. It is being used in research studies to test how well people understand how to use a product like this without a clinician’s involvement, and what else they might want in order to make the experience better. This kind of research is needed to get approval from the FDA (the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) to allow abortion pills to be offered over the counter.
What the research shows
Medication abortion is a safe and effective way to end a pregnancy. It is the most common method of abortion in the U.S. and available from clinics and online via telehealth. But even with a stellar safety record, regulations still make it hard to get abortion pills. These regulations are not based on facts, and add to the misleading idea that people cannot safely take abortion pills on their own without clinician supervision. The science actually shows that mifepristone and misoprostol are so safe, they already meet many of the FDA’s criteria for being available over the counter. They have no risk of overdose, are not addictive, and people are already using them safely on their own in many parts of the world.
Research shows people are interested in an over-the-counter medication abortion product because it could enhance privacy, save time, allow them to avoid judgment from a healthcare provider, and improve access more broadly. And since the fall of Roe, support for over-the-counter abortion pills has only grown. Using MiMi, researchers have now shown that the majority of people can determine if they were eligible for a product like this based on reading the label on the box.
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Why isn’t MiMi already available?
The FDA has had strict regulations in place for mifepristone since it was approved for abortion care in 2000. While these regulations have eased over time as more research was done on new ways to provide medication abortion, anti-abortion groups are now pushing the FDA to re-institute harsher restrictions or outright ban medication abortion altogether. While the science is clear that this medication is very safe, policy decisions are often shaped by politics, not just science. The FDA will require more research on over-the-counter medication abortion before approving a product like MiMi.
How you can get involved
Spread the news on MiMi and the safety of medication abortion by using the hashtag #MiMi4All. You can also follow us on TikTok for more on MiMi.
Keep abortion bans out of medicine cabinets and mailboxes by joining the #MifeInAll50 campaign.
For those of you who are Gen Z, join Advocates for Youth’s Youth Abortion Support Collective (YouthASC). YouthASC is a nationwide network of young people committed to becoming expert resources on abortion and to making sure folks in their communities know all their options and can easily find the support they need. If you’re interested, join here!
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Where to access abortion pills and abortion care
If you or someone you care about needs abortion care now, here is where you can find information about getting abortion pills and/or getting to clinics: