Introducing early medical abortion in Australia: there is a need to update abortion laws

de Costa, Caroline M., Russell, Darren B., de Costa, Naomi R., Carrette, Michael, and McNamee, Heather M. (2007) Introducing early medical abortion in Australia: there is a need to update abortion laws. Sexual Health, 4 (4). pp. 223-226.

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View at Publisher Website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/SH07035
 
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Abstract

Recent changes to Federal Therapeutic Goods Administration legislation have seen the limited introduction of the drug mifepristone to Australia for the purpose of early medical abortion. At the same time it has become evident that both methotrexate and misoprostol, licenced and available for other indications, are being used safely and appropriately for early abortion by Australian medical practitioners. Early medical abortion is widely practiced overseas where its safety and effectiveness are well supported by current evidence. However, abortion law in many states is still contained within the Criminal Codes and does not reflect current evidence-based abortion practice. In other states and territories restrictions on where abortions may be performed pose potential barriers to the introduction of mifepristone for medical abortion. There is an urgent need for abortion law to be clarified and made uniform across the country so that the best possible services can be provided to Australian women.

Item ID: 2439
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1449-8987
Keywords: medical abortion; mifepristione; abortion laws
Date Deposited: 21 Jul 2009 23:43
FoR Codes: 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111709 Health Care Administration @ 50%
11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1114 Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine > 111402 Obstetrics and Gynaecology @ 50%
SEO Codes: 92 HEALTH > 9201 Clinical Health (Organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions) > 920114 Reproductive System and Disorders @ 34%
92 HEALTH > 9205 Specific Population Health (excl. Indigenous Health) > 920507 Womens Health @ 33%
92 HEALTH > 9202 Health and Support Services > 920208 Health Inequalities @ 33%
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