Abortion drugs are now just a phone call away

Abortions in Australia are getting more convenient with a private health group starting a new service to help women access medical abortions over the phone. The current system of visiting a doctor before abortion is all set to be changed with the new telecommunication system.

Soon after the announcement, a women’s health group showed its support towards the initiative. Medical abortion, which has not been easy in Australia, would get easier with the new start-up, reported the Sydney Morning Herald. Although abortion drugs such as mifepristone, or RU486, is approved for use in Australia, women have to get a doctor’s approval to use it.

The Tabbot Foundation, a private health group which came up with the initiative, would help women via phone and the prescribed medicines would be delivered by mail. However, they might need to visit the local clinics in case ultrasounds and blood tests are required.

Reproductive Choice Australia believes that the service would not only be cost-effective but would also help women in regional areas to receive treatment previously denied to them.

"Medical pregnancy termination through teleconference is one of the most appropriate medical conditions you can use this for because you don't have to examine the patient," a spokesman from the Tabbot Foundation said, noting that tele-health services were very common in the country. He further said that this service would provide relief for women who fear going to an abortion clinic.

According to the ABC, Michael Moore from the Public Health Association of Australia felt the initiative was sensible and said that the approach taken towards abortion should be as normal as any other health related service. He believed that women shouldn’t be pushed to take additional burden and abortion shouldn’t be treated as a part of the acts punished under criminal law. He also praised the initiative by calling it a “brilliant opportunity” to those women who face constant constraints with regard to abortions.

Jeni Ejlak, the co-president of Reproductive Choice Australia, insisted on implementing abortion law reform across the country as abortion-related-choices among women were limited. "It's a little bit of a postcode lottery for women," she said. "I think this will make a really big difference,” she added. She also pointed out how unfortunate women were to pay high fees for medical termination, whereas the medications were much less costly.

The service would be applicable to pregnancies less than 63 days and for women who do not experience severe periods, as the drug often causes more heavy or painful bleeding.

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