Marie Stopes trials medical abortion procedure
Think medical abortions weren’t available in Australia? Think again. Whilst the RU486 abortion pill debate rages across Australia, Marie Stopes International has taken matters into its own hands. Ellise Daniel investigates.
During August this year, Marie Stopes International, one of Australia's leading sexual and reproductive healthcare organisations launched a three month trial medical abortion service in two of their clinics in Western Sydney.
Marie Stopes International Operations Manager Gill Michelson says this procedure creates a choice women do not usually have. “At this stage of the game when RU486 is not readily available, there is an alternative; Methotrexate.”
Marie Stopes is using a combination of two drugs, Methotrexate and Misoprostol to induce abortion. Both of these drugs are readily available in Australia.
Methotrexate is licensed for other purposes in Australia, as both an anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer medication. Misoprostol is used to prevent ulcers in people who take certain arthritis or pain medicines, including aspirin, that can cause ulcers. When combined the two drugs induce whats known as a ‘medical miscarriage’.
Medical abortions are not commonly practiced in Australia. World wide abortion drug, Mifepristone, more commonly known as RU486, is not readily available in Australia.
The RU486 drug is not technically banned in Australia. This drug belongs to a special category of drugs known as ‘restricted goods' under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989. RU486 cannot be evaluated, registered, listed or imported without the written approval from the Minister for Health. There has been a recent move to remove the drug from the ‘restricted’ list.
Methotrexate and Misoprostol are not primarily licensed as abortion drugs. However, Doctors can prescribe drugs "off label" for any reason they judge medically appropriate, as long as the patient understands it is not approved for that use. RU486 is purely an abortion drug, which is why its use in Australia is restricted.
Gill Michelson says that the medical procedure has many unique advantages. “Not all women like a surgical abortion. This procedure can be done in the privacy of your own home, without any anaesthesia, which some women prefer. The medical procedure also allows for termination to be done at an earlier stage of the pregnancy.”
Clinical trials have deemed both RU486 and the Methotrexate and Misoprostol combination effective for terminations. Methotrexate has a success rate between 94% and 96%. RU-486 is slightly higher at 98% to 9%.
Gill Michelson says both abortion drugs are safe but Marie Stopes would prefer to use RU486. “There is no issue in the safety of both drugs, the outcomes are very similar. However we would prefer to use RU486 as the process is a little quicker than that of Methotrexate.”
At the end of the three month trial period Marie Stopes will assess the results and determine the demand for the procedure. If successful, the service may be extended to all Marie Stopes clinics Australia wide. “Our philosophy here at Marie Stopes is to ultimately provide choice for Australian women; and that’s what we are doing.”
