RU486

Until recently in Australia the only option for women seeking an abortion is surgical abortion. This involves anaesthetic and the use of vacuum extraction. This method has risks like most surgical procedures, but is generally carried out with no problems.

However there is an alternative called a medical abortion. A medical abortion is performed using the drug RU486. This drug blocks the receptors of progesterone which is needed to sustain a pregnancy. Then prostaglandin is used to cause the uterus to contract and expel it contents (much like a miscarriage). RU486 is usually used before 9 weeks gestation.

RU 486 is still not generally available in Australia. Only two doctors in the whole of the country have been granted the right to use the drug. One of them is Dr Caroline De Costa, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at James Cook University who also runs a Cairns based practice. RU486 is endorsed by countries such as US, UK, Finland, Ireland Germany, NZ, Sweden and China.

There have been controlled trials of the drug and many studies done on its effectiveness and safety and more studies are currently being undertaken. But it has effectively been banned from Australia because of the “red tape” created by parliament. The cost and effort for a drug company to apply for a licence to bring it into Australia is prohibitive and so none have applied.

For more information on RU486, go to the following links:

http://search.abc.net.au/search/search.cgi?query=ru486&sort=&collection=abcall&form=simple

www.aph.gov.au/LIBRARY/pubs/rn/2005-06/06rn19.htm

www.abc.net.au/health/thepulse/s1246252.htm

Compiled by Debbie Flaherty