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  • Title: RU 486 approved in Britain; U.S. research still limited.
    Journal: Contracept Technol Update; 1991 Sep; 12(9):144-7. PubMed ID: 12317312.
    Abstract:
    RU-486 has been used as an alternative to surgical abortion in France, it has recently been approved for use in Britain. There is still a ban in the US on the importation of RU-486 even for medical research. Technically the US has not banned RU-486, it is just that no one has yet to apply to the FDA for new product approval. RU-486 promises to have many benefits beyond being a safe alternative to surgical abortion. It is theorized to be a possible treatment for breast cancer, endometriosis and other reproductive health concerns. It can be used to terminate pregnancies up to the 9th week and over 80,000 French women have used it as such. Its manufacturer, Roussel-Uclaf is planning to apply for approval in Scandinavia next, but is very unlikely to try to bring it to the US because of strong anti-abortion sentiment. RU-486 has proven to be 95% effective, when used in conjunction with prostaglandins, in inducing abortion. RU-486 could also be used as a once a month pill or as a post-coital contraceptive. The anti-abortion advocates in the US plan to apply a great deal of pressure if any one tries to bring RU-486 into the country, even if it is done so for reasons other than abortion.
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