The first study on the use of mifepristone to terminate early pregnancy is published.
Mifepristone becomes available in France.
In response to anti-abortion protests, Roussel Uclaf halts distribution of mifepristone. The French Minister of Health orders Roussel Uclaf to return the drug to the market, calling it the moral property of women. In response to pressure from the Bush administration and anti-choice members of Congress, the FDA bans the importation of mifepristone for personal use. Hoechst informs abortion opponents that it does not intend to market or distribute mifepristone outside of France. 1990 Leading scientists testify before Congress that the FDA import ban has hindered research on the broad medical benefits of mifepristone, including as a treatment for breast cancer.