May 1 (Reuters) – A U.S. appeals court on Friday temporarily blocked a federal rule allowing the abortion drug mifepristone to be dispensed through the mail, significantly curtailing access to the drug nationwide and particularly in states that have banned abortion. A panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans said the state of Louisiana was likely to prevail in its challenge to the 2023 rule adopted by Democratic former President Joe Biden’s administration. While the ruling is temporary, it is the first to significantly curtail access to mifepristone in a series of lawsuits challenging the drug’s initial approval in 2000 and subsequent rules making it easier to obtain. The 2023 regulation removed a requirement that mifepristone be dispensed in person. (Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York; Editing by Mark Porter) This story is developing and may be updated.