Australian Agency Authorizes Two OB/GYNs To Import, Prescribe Mifepristone To Women In Country

Main Category: Abortion
Article Date: 18 Apr 2006 - 12:00 PDT


The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration on Wednesday announced that it has authorized two Queensland physicians to import and prescribe mifepristone, which when taken with misoprostol can cause a medical abortion, AAP/news.com.au reports. The use of mifepristone was prohibited in the country until the Federal Parliament in February voted to pass legislation that removed Health Minister Tony Abbott's authority to veto the importation of the drug (AAP/news.com.au, 4/12). OB/GYNs Caroline de Costa and Michael Carrette are expected to offer the drug only to women in Queensland at a cost of about $12, The Australian reports (Maiden, The Australian, 4/13). According to Melbourne's Age, de Costa applied for approval nearly three months ago and might wait several more months before she can import the drug (Nader, Age, 4/13). De Costa in a statement confirmed TGA's authorization and said, "The approval is for use of the drug in certain clearly defined circumstances where the life or health of the [pregnant woman] is seriously threatened by continuation of the pregnancy, in conformity both with Queensland state law on abortion and with federal legislation governing the approval of medical practitioners as authorized prescribers." The drug likely will not be widely available until a pharmaceutical company or sponsor applies to import it, according to The Australian. Other applicants, including those in eastern states, are seeking approval to import the drug (The Australian, 4/13).

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