Controversial abortion drug RU-486 might be coming to Canada, but whether you get your hands on it will be left up to a doctor.
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After reviewing this drug for over the last five years, pharmacology evidence found that it safely and efficiently induces contractions that will lead to the termination of a pregnancy. The group spearheaded efforts to bring the drug to Canada.
Italy: The drug’s 2009 approval in Italy drudged up religious discussion, especially after The Vatican warned it would excommunicate doctors who prescribe it. Though the Catholic Church has long fought abortion and contraception, the country allows Italians to take the morning-after pill and receive surgical abortions in hospitals.
Waddington noted the move comes 10 years after the World Health Organization endorsed the drug on its list of essential medicines that all countries should have available. It has also been available in the United Kingdom for about the same period of time and was approved for use in the since 2000.
The best way to help women with unplanned pregnancies is to make sure they have access to and information about a wide array of options, that they are supported and respected in their choices, and that good health care and counselling are available, no matter where the woman lives in Canada.
According to its manufacturer, Linepharma global Limited, the pill will be distributed by Celopharma Inc. with commercial availability expected in January 2016. “Health Canada needs to reconsider and reverse the decision to approve this unsafe drug”, concluded Anderson’s release.
The drug works by blocking production of progesterone, a hormone which is needed to sustain a pregnancy.
“Mifepristone holds the promise of improving access to abortion care for women in more rural communities where there isn’t a current abortion provider”, she said. But in fact Mifegymiso is two drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol.
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Mrs Saporta says the pill will likely become available in 2016, and will be distributed by doctors rather than pharmacies, as it is done in the US.
