Provision Of Ru486 Abortion Pill

EDM number 1676 in 2001-02, proposed by Jim Dobbin on 22/07/2002.

That this House notes the Government's pilot schemes allowing the RU486 abortion pill to be provided through family planning clinics, rather than in the safer conditions of hospitals; considers it will increase the dangers to women, especially in the light of evidence cited on 17th May by Dr Richard Hausknecht, Medical Director of DANCO, the RU486 manufacturer, showing that the technique is 'not safer than a surgical abortion', is 'fraught with risk and problems', 'includes the taking of two or perhaps five hazardous drug combinations' and 'too often has complications ranging from moderate bleeding to severe pain, and for some women blood transfusions'; notes similar admissions by Dr Edouardo Sakiz, former Chairman of Roussel-Uclaf, which developed the drug, that it can subject women to an 'appalling psychological ordeal'; further notes the statement by the Marie Stopes representative to the Select Committee on Health on 10th July that 'fewer doctors are willing to perform abortions' and therefore the law should be amended to allow nurses to perform abortion; also notes that the BMA has reported similar problems, particularly among younger doctors with ethical objections; regards the present move by the Department of Health as changing the law by stealth through amending regulations; and calls on the Government to recognise that the abortion law was never intended to allow abortion on demand to which young doctors are increasingly averse, and to safeguard women by imposing proper controls on the implementation of the law rather than allowing those with financial interests a free rein as at present.

This motion has been signed by a total of 10 MPs.