RU-486

Published by Boolarong Press, 2007 - See the non-fiction page for details about the book, or go directly to the Boolarong Press website to buy the book.
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What is RU-486?

RU-486 is the drug now known as mifepristone that is combined with another drug, misoprostol, and used for medical abortion. RU486 is available and widely used in the United Kingdom and most of Europe, the United States, China, Israel and much of the Middle East, in New Zealand and in many other countries. Currently Caroline de Costa and a colleague in Cairns, Australia are the only medical practitioners permitted to use RU486 for purposes of abortion in Australia.

Only women resident in Cairns, with serious medical conditions that would be worsened by pregnancy, and who are referred by their general practitioners, can be considered for the use of RU-486 at the present time.

History

The recent campaign to overturn the 'Harradine Amendment' and permit use of RU-486 in Australia began in late 2005. Senator Lyn Allison and others were preparing a legislative attempt to remove from the Therapeutic Goods Act the restriction on RU-486. In October 2005 Caroline de Costa published in the Medical Journal of Australia an article entitles Medical abortion for Australian women - it's time. www.mja.com.au The article was widely read and distributed and co-incided with a growing campaign that included women's health groups and legislators from both state and Federal parliaments and across the whole political spectrum. In February 2006 a Private Members Bill brought to the Senate by four women senators passed with a large majority on a conscience vote and the following week also passed the House of Representatives.

Availability

In April 2006 following a complex and protracted application process to the therapeutic Goods Administration Caroline de Costa was given permission to use the drug under the Authorised Prescriber Scheme, for private patients in Cairns, and under strict conditions. It is hoped that the drug will soon become available nationally when a pharmaceutical marketing company is granted approval by the TGA to market it.

Doctors at Westmead Hospital Sydney, Monash Medical Centre and the RWH Melbourne, King Edward Memorial Hospital in Perth, and some South Australian doctors, also now have approval to use RU486 in certain medical conditions that might be worsened by continuing a pregnancy.