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A woman's choice.

Margaret June Sparrow1

  • 1New Zealand Family Planning Association, Wellington Family Planning Service, Wellington, New Zealand. msparrow@value.net.nz

The Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
|April 20, 2004
PubMed
Summary

Mifepristone, a new medical abortion option, is now available in New Zealand but not Australia. Its introduction faced delays due to various factors, highlighting concerns for reproductive health drug development.

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Abortion politics and the impact on reproductive health care.

The Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology·2006
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Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Health
  • Pharmacology
  • Medical Ethics

Background:

  • Abortion is a common gynecological procedure in New Zealand and Australia.
  • Early legal abortions are safe via surgical or medical means.
  • Traditional abortifacients were unscientific, illegal, and secretive.

Discussion:

  • The introduction of mifepristone faced political, professional, legal, socioeconomic, and commercial challenges.
  • Istar, a non-profit, facilitated mifepristone import and use in New Zealand starting in 2001.
  • Legal clarifications occurred in 2003, impacting mifepristone's availability and use.

Key Insights:

  • Mifepristone's introduction highlights concerns regarding commercial risks in reproductive healthcare drug development.
  • The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists plays a role in ensuring safe abortion services.
  • Advocates have significantly advanced women's reproductive rights, supporting abortion as a woman's choice.

Outlook:

  • Future introductions of reproductive health drugs require careful consideration of development risks.
  • Ensuring access to safe abortion services remains a priority for professional bodies and advocates.
  • The principle of abortion as a woman's choice is strongly supported by reproductive health advocates.

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