More healthcare professionals will be able to prescribe medical abortions, making access easier for Australian women.
Under new changes, any medical professional with the appropriate qualifications will be able to prescribe the medication. More pharmacists will also be able adminster the medication, Mifepristone and Misoprostol, sold together as MS 2-Step.
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Previously, only specifically-certified doctors and specially registered pharmacists were able to prescribe and dispense MS 2-Step.
The Federal Government and doctors say the changes will reduce the barrier for accessing the medication.
According to the SPHERE Centre for research excellence, only one in 10 GPs can currently presrive medical abortions.
In a statement, Assistant Minister for Health Ged Kearney was one who welcomed the change.
“We know that women experience structural barriers trying to access the health care that they need, particularly in regional and rural areas,” she said.
“That’s why it’s so important that all health practitioners can perform the care that they are already trained to provide.”
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners president Nicole Higgins said the changes by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) would improve access for those in rural communities.
“The TGA’s changes will enable greater access to medical abortion for women throughout Australia and will reduce unnecessary red tape for the GPs who provide these essential services,” she said.
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