Ecstasy pills
IN PHOTO: Ecstasy pills, which contain MDMA as their main chemical, are pictured in this undated handout photo courtesy of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Molly is the street name for a drug that is commonly believed to be the pure powder form of the banned substance known as MDMA, the main chemical in ecstasy. Reuters/USDEA/Handout

Canada has formally approved the use of abortion pill “Mifepristone” after conducting sustained tests for three years, the ministry of Health announced. The pill is also known as RU-486 and is already legal in 60 countries including the United States. The pill will allow women to terminate unwanted pregnancies without resorting to a surgery. Known as Mifepristone, the pill has an actual brand name Mifegymiso, according to Toronto Star.

"The decision to authorise Mifegymiso for the Canadian market was made further to a thorough review of the data package provided by the sponsor that supported the safety, efficacy and quality of the product," Health Canada said in a statement. The pill can be taken up to seven weeks after conception for terminating a pregnancy as allowed under the national laws. Health Canada has directed Linepharma pharmaceuticals to begin production of the pill. It is expected to hit the market by early 2016.

According to CTV news, the announcement evoked strong reactions from pro and anti abortionists. Rona Ambrose, minister of Health gave a short response, “I have one comment that is the decision does not rest with me. It’s out of my hands and the decision is final.”

Good News

Haling the announcement, National Abortion Federation said the “approval of Mifepristone is great news for women in Canada.” The group's president Vicki Saporta said it is long overdue that Canadian women have access to the gold standard for medical abortion care. According to the review undertaken by Health Canada, doctors can prescribe the drug up to seven weeks after conception.

Prof. Ashley Waddington, an expert on women health from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario also praised Health Canada’s decision and called it a step in the right direction for the government as well as Canadian women. Waddington noted the decision is coming 10 years after the World Health Organisation endorsed the drug as one of the essential medicines that all countries should have. “To be clear, medical abortion has been available in Canada for decades. However, Canadian women have had to rely on less effective, less safe medications for this purpose,” she said.

Lawmaker Protests

Saskatchewan MP David Anderson reacted strongly. He called the pill as a dangerous combination of drugs that destroys a woman’s tissues in the womb to kill her preborn child. The medical procedure suggested for the pill is -- women need to find a principled doctor and see him thrice. First, for mifepristone tablets, again within 48 hours for misoprostol and then two weeks later for a post-treatment exam, reports Toronto Star.

(For feedback/comments, contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au)