Scientists change the face of debate with RU-486 decision. Abortion issues

Sex Wkly Plus. 1996:(Sample No):7-8.

Abstract

PIP: Mifepristone (RU-486), when taken within the first 7 weeks of pregnancy, is 95.5% effective in terminating pregnancy. Two days after taking RU-486, women must take a second drug to cause strong uterine contractions which expel the fetus. RU-486 is not yet available upon the US market. However, in 1994, the administration of President Bill Clinton gave the nonprofit Population Council US rights to RU-486 so that it could seek US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. The FDA set a goal to decide on the use of RU-486 by mid-September 1996. Outside advisors to the FDA recommended in July 1996 that the agency approve RU-486 after addressing the medical concerns. However, regardless of the medical issues, RU-486 will remain controversial due to the importance of abortion in the US as a major political issue. Meanwhile, Advances in Health Technology (AHT), a Washington firm which will distribute RU-486, has hired a manufacturer to produce enough of the drug for 650,000 women, the proportion of the nation's 1.3 million annual abortions already performed during the first 7 weeks of pregnancy.

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Induced*
  • Americas
  • Biology
  • Consumer Product Safety*
  • Developed Countries
  • Endocrine System
  • Family Planning Services
  • Government Agencies
  • Hormone Antagonists
  • Hormones
  • Knowledge
  • Mifepristone*
  • North America
  • Organizations
  • Physiology
  • United States
  • United States Food and Drug Administration*
  • United States Public Health Service

Substances

  • Hormone Antagonists
  • Hormones
  • Mifepristone