FDA Says Retail Pharmacies Can Now Offer Abortion Pills
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- On Tuesday in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration completed regulatory changes that would allow retail pharmacies to offer abortion pills.
Until now, patients have only been able to obtain this two-active-ingredient drug from clinics, doctors, and a few mail-order pharmacies.
His two companies that make the drug, Danco Laboratories and GenBioPro, announced the news after being notified of the change by the FDA.
''At a time when people across the country are struggling to obtain abortion services, this change is critical to expanding access to medical abortion services and providing health care providers with safe and effective options for their patients. ''Abortion,'' Danko said in a statement. Evan Masingill, CEO of GenBioPro, which manufactures the generic version of mifepristone, said: New York Times.
Mifepristone was the first tablet to be used in abortion regimens, followed by misoprostol, although misoprostol is already less restrictive. Mifepristone blocks the hormones needed for pregnancy, but labor starts about 24 to 48 hours after taking misoprostol.
Misoprostol is also used to treat many other conditions. Mifepristone is approved only for abortion, but is also used to treat some miscarriages. Dozens of organizations, including medical societies, have petitioned the FDA to make the drug more accessible for miscarriage, The Times reported.
Patients still need a doctor's prescription to obtain the drug, and pharmacies must dispense the drug according to certain rules.
Recent reports indicate that more than half of all abortions in the United States use abortion drugs. They now have the U.S. Supreme Court upholding her Roe v. Wade further demands.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists applauded the move.
''Allowing for brick-and-mortar pharmacies to join mail-order pharmacies in dispensing mifepristone for reproductive health indications will further improve access for patients,'' the group said in a statement. ''ACOG has long advocated that mifepristone be made available in retail pharmacies, just like other prescription drugs, to allow more patients access to abortion care without clinically unnecessary hurdles. This change will empower patients who choose medication abortion to have the option of going to a pharmacy for immediate care rather than waiting for a mail order, if that is right for them.''
''Although the FDA's announcement today will not solve access issues for every person seeking abortion care, it will allow more patients who need mifepristone for medication abortion additional options to secure this vital drug,'' the group added.
Now it's up to pharmacies to decide whether to offer them. According to The Times, staff must be appointed to ensure compliance, which could be an obstacle. According to The Times, some states have banned or restricted abortion, which could make it illegal or difficult to provide the pill. Even if the pills are legal, pharmacies can face customer demand and public pressure.
A Danco official said the company expects smaller, independent pharmacies to offer the drugs first. requirements would need to be implemented, The Times reported. This may seem like CVS or Walgreens can't list a doctor's name in their company-wide database, but instead limit that information to a particular business. She supports abortion on condition of anonymity, according to The Times.
Some prescribers may be more likely to prescribe the drug if they don't have to stock their own inventory, the Danko official added.
''For some people, this is a huge improvement in their ability to access drugs, and they could even view it as their choice.'' You don't want to go to They would rather get it from a mail-order company with no such interaction. ”
The federal government has taken several steps to expand access to abortion drugs since the Supreme Court ruling. This includes a move to allow telemedicine abortion services to conduct medical consultations with patients via video, phone, or online questionnaires.
Healthcare providers must be accredited to demonstrate that they have the knowledge and skills to treat abortion patients.
For more information
The US Food and Drug Administration has details on abortion pills.
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