RU486 | Friday, February 17, 2006 |
The UK never really struck me as being very progressive. If you look at Europe, the Dutch are considered the liberal ones (I suppose), the Scandi countries are marked down as green, but progressive isn't really a term that I've heard used to describe the UK a lot.
And I'm not going to start now. Nevertheless, by some measures it must be true. Here in Australia, there's a huge debate over the availability of the abortion drug RU486 and until last night it's introduction had been blocked by the health minister. Now though, responsibility for policing the availability has moved to the "Therapeutic Goods Administration" who are expected to approve the licensing following further "tests".
Bear in mind that this is a drug that was developed in 1980, and first licensed in France for use in 1988. Britain followed in 1991. It seems unlikely to me that the physiology of an Australian woman is significantly different from a French or British woman, but apparently, differences there must be.
As with all drugs, there are side effects and RU486 is no different, nevertheless just this week trials in the UK suggest that RU486 is suitable for un-supervised use at home and it is I gather, already prescribed in this manner in some areas of the United States.
It's unclear to me quite why this has and is taking so long here. Surgical abortion is legal and available, so other proven safe methods should be too.
It is expected that RU486 will be available within the year.
And I'm not going to start now. Nevertheless, by some measures it must be true. Here in Australia, there's a huge debate over the availability of the abortion drug RU486 and until last night it's introduction had been blocked by the health minister. Now though, responsibility for policing the availability has moved to the "Therapeutic Goods Administration" who are expected to approve the licensing following further "tests".
Bear in mind that this is a drug that was developed in 1980, and first licensed in France for use in 1988. Britain followed in 1991. It seems unlikely to me that the physiology of an Australian woman is significantly different from a French or British woman, but apparently, differences there must be.
As with all drugs, there are side effects and RU486 is no different, nevertheless just this week trials in the UK suggest that RU486 is suitable for un-supervised use at home and it is I gather, already prescribed in this manner in some areas of the United States.
It's unclear to me quite why this has and is taking so long here. Surgical abortion is legal and available, so other proven safe methods should be too.
It is expected that RU486 will be available within the year.
