FDA Approves RU-486, the Abortion Pill, with Relatively Few Restrictions

Strategic Insights -

The Food and Drug Administration has approved RU-486, also known as mifepristone, the abortion pill, after several years of deliberation. The decision was met with a mix of responses from proponents and opponents of abortion, with the FDA commissioner, Jane Henney, stating that the approval was based on a thorough evaluation of scientific evidence. The pill is effective in inducing a miscarriage in 90 to 95 percent of women when taken early in pregnancy. Despite initial expectations of severe restrictions on its use, the FDA has allowed all physicians and mid-level healthcare providers supervised by physicians to prescribe the drug, with the requirement that they must be able to perform surgical abortion or have a plan for referring patients to surgical abortion if the medical abortion does not work.

Key Takeaways:

  • The FDA has approved RU-486, also known as mifepristone, the abortion pill, with relatively few restrictions.
  • The pill is effective in inducing a miscarriage in 90 to 95 percent of women when taken early in pregnancy.
  • All physicians and mid-level healthcare providers supervised by physicians can prescribe the drug, but they must be able to perform surgical abortion or have a plan for referring patients to surgical abortion if the medical abortion does not work.
  • The FDA commissioner, Jane Henney, stated that the approval was based on a thorough evaluation of scientific evidence.
  • Gloria Feldt, president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, hailed the approval as a historic moment in reproductive health technology, stating that women in Europe have had access to this early, safe abortion method for 12 years.
  • The drug's manufacturer expects it to be available within a month, and Planned Parenthood health clinics nationwide are geared up to provide it to patients right away.

Statistics:

  • 90 to 95 percent effectiveness rate of the abortion pill taken early in pregnancy (NEIGHMOND)
  • 12 years access to the abortion pill in Europe (FELDT)
  • Expected availability of the drug within a month (NEIGHMOND)

Sources:

  • NPR News (broadcast)
  • Patricia Neighmond (reporter)
  • Jane Henney (FDA Commissioner)
  • Gloria Feldt (President, Planned Parenthood Federation of America)
  • National Right to Life Committee (opponents of abortion)
  • FDA (Food and Drug Administration)