New Medicare data shows Queensland has the highest number of abortions in Australia, with cost of living driving figures up.
The cost of GP visits and birth control scripts are likely contributing to the rise, says Dr Maria Boulton, Queensland President of the Australian Medical Association.
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Medicare data found that 17430 prescriptions for the MS-2-Step abortion pills were dispensed in Queensland last year, compared to 8094 in Victoria and 6909 in New South Wales.
Boulton says these numbers are compounded by a lack of regional abortion clinics, with long travel times and waiting lists.
“It’s not surprising that [women in regional areas] use MS-2 Step instead of travelling to a big city for surgical termination,” Boulton said.
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