Push for abortion drugs to cost $12

THE federal government will consider subsidising controversial abortion drugs - allowing women to end pregnancies for as little as $12.

The drugs, known as Mifepristone Linepharma (RU486) and GyMiso were given approval by the Therapeutic Goods Administration to be imported into Australia last year.

Both drugs are needed to complete the abortion process.

Reproductive health group Marie Stopes International Australia has lodged an application with the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) Advisory Committee in the hope the drugs will become taxpayer funded.

Only 187 authorised medical clinics were approved to distribute the two drugs, and campaigners claim the current $300 cost has been prohibitive for many women on lower incomes seeking a non-surgical abortion.

Following its TGA registration, an online training course was set up for GPs wanting to prescribe the drug.

A Health and Ageing Department spokeswoman said the drugs without a PBS listing cost up to $300 to obtain.

If listed, the drugs could be priced as low as $5.90 each for patients eligible for a concession, although this did not take into account any doctor treatment costs and pharmacy mark-ups.

"If approved for listing on the PBS, the cost would be the concessional co-payment of $5.90 or general co-payment amount of $36.10," she said.

RU486, a synthetic steroid, is different from the morning-after pill, which inhibits or delays ovulation to stop a woman from falling pregnant.

Mifepristone is given to women who are up to seven weeks pregnant to facilitate a termination.

Marie Stopes has been offering women the drug since its TGA registration and hopes a PBS listing will make the option for a non-surgical abortion more accessible to women across Australia, particularly those in rural and regional areas.

"Most of the listed medicines are dispensed by pharmacists and used by patients at home," a spokeswoman said.

"The cost to consumers will be dependent on the margins imposed by retail pharmacies and private clinics."

RU486 has had a rocky past in Australia, with the Howard government banning its use.

In France it is available over the chemist counter.

The federal government is expected to approve subsidising the drug if the PBSAC recommends it be listed.

Health Minister Tanya Plibersek said she welcomed the move by Marie Stopes to make it more widely available to Australian women, but that she would not interfere with the process.

"RU486 has met the safety, quality and efficacy standards required by the TGA for all medicines," Ms Plibersek said.

"I am pleased that Marie Stopes is working to make this medicine, which is on the World Health Organisation list of essential medicines, more widely available to Australian women."

Prior its TGA registration, RU486 had to be imported under provisions applying to experimental medicines.

It is estimated there are about 70,000 abortions in Australia annually.

Fewer than one in 20 of those abortions use RU486.

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