The ABC News and Channel 10 Late News reported last night that the abortion pill RU486 will now be more easily accessed within Australia.
Fourteen doctors, in nine Marie Stopes clinics across Australia have been given authorised access to the RU486 pill by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), according to Jill Michelson, national clinical adviser for abortion provider Marie Stopes International. The drug will be available to be used in the first nine weeks of pregnancy. She stated that "...we have been waiting for a long time in Australia as we know this drug has been available in around about 30 countries since the late 80’s."
A NSW Right to Life representative expressed concern that RU486 may lead to an increase in abortions in Australia.
Comments posted anonymously on the ABC website included concerns about when the drugs may or may not be prescribed and also about the need to look more closely at why women are seeking abortions.
Furthermore, on the ABC website, Ms. Michelson made reference to a young couple in Queensland who face criminal charges after allegedly importing and using a contraband abortion drug. Reference to this case has been constant but what is not mentioned (again) is that this young couple allegedly used a drug not approved in Australia and administered it without medical supervision, raising issues of safety. It is also unclear as to why the couple did not avail themselves of their local abortion clinic which is authorised to administer RU486 – see previous LNA article on this case.
On Channel 10 Late News, Marcel White, President of Right to Life Australia, commented that the role of the TGA is to prevent harmful substances coming into Australia, but in approving the use of the abortion pill RU486, the TGA is authorising a drug designed to kill the unborn.
Jill Michelson (Marie Stopes) argued that the pill provides women with greater choice.
However, according to the Australian Christian Lobby, "The last thing that women need is another way to ... kill their babies. What is needed is more support for women who find themselves in a situation where they have an unsupported pregnancy and we should be really offering a greater choice for women rather than just the default position (of) abortion."
Real choice is about supporting and informing those facing unplanned pregnancies with options for having their babies, rather than just providing another means to terminate. It is also questionable why an abortion provider, who is a clear commercial beneficiary of the decision to make RU486 accessible, is sought for comment on this important issue involving women, families and their unborn babies.
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