The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7206 p48
13 July 2002

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Family planning clinics to be able to supply mifepristone

The Department of Health has confirmed that some pilot family planning centres are to be allowed to offer mifepristone (Mifegyne) for use in the termination of pregnancies (our Lobby correspondent writes).

The Secretary of State for Health, Alan Milburn, acknowledged evidence that the procedure could help reduce "distressing" waits of up to five weeks to end a pregnancy.

A Department of Health spokesman said that options were now being offered, under existing regulations, to eliminate variations in waiting times for abortions. Strict controls will apply and only family planning clinics located within hospital trust premises will be able to offer the procedure.