Canada's NDP

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July 6th, 2016

NDP calls on Minister of Health to ensure access to medical abortion drug

The NDP is calling on the Liberal government to make the medical abortion drug RU-486 available and accessible in Canada. After decades of waiting, the drug may remain unavailable due to new restrictive regulations.

"This is a drug that would help give women access to safe abortions especially in remote areas," said Sheila Malcolmson, the NDP's critic for Status of Women, "Yet current Health Canada regulations are overly restrictive and make it very hard for women to access this important drug."

RU-486 is now in use in 57 countries – and the World Health Organization has classified it as an 'essential medicine.' The previous Conservative government delayed the approval process but many hoped the Liberal government would move quickly on issues involving a women's right to choose.

Instead new regulations place undue burden on doctors by requiring them to stock, manage and dispense the pill rather than allowing pharmacies the ability to fill prescriptions.

"The Liberal Health Minister must act to ensure that Canadian women have proper access to this drug right now," Malcolmson said, "There's no excuse for Canada to be a generation behind on essential medical options for women."

RU-486 has been available in France since 1988 and the United States approved the drug for use in 2000.