Why RU 486 Is Not OTC

There has been a big debate that involves making the drug RU 486 over the counter. Supporters claim that it needs to be where women can buy it on a moments notice in the event of a rape or if they wake up after unprotected sex and need some reassurance. It is their right, after all, to have access to this legal medication and the only reason it is on prescription is because insurance companies and Christians fanaticals want to deny them their rights. The claims about prescriptions delaying them is not very good since the drug can be used for the first 46 days of pregnancy.

I have heard it all including the claim that the government is against women and will not provide them with birth control. I personally am all for birth control. I believe in the pill, condoms, barriers, foams and many other forms of contraception. RU 486 is not a contraceptive because it does not prevent conception. Used early it can prevent implantation and I think that is a worthy use considering that a rape victim might get pregnant. However, the medication can be given in the hospital. Over the counter availability might actually lead some women not to report the crime, but that is another story.

I remember when I discussed this issue in the past and I was bombarded with people telling me how it was necessary for it to be readily accessible. It should be OTC. I also remember saying that the drug is prescription because it can cause problems and it should be issued by a physician so he can control the administration and prevent people from taking it incorrectly. I have made comparisons to many other drugs with wider application and greater benefit still being on prescription. We would not want people to be able to buy Valium or Morphene over the counter, and there is a reason for that.

There have been some deaths associated with RU 486. Recently two women who had used the drug died. No correlation has been made between the drug and the death but it bears investigation. These drugs were administered by physicians and women might have still had problems. The last thing women need is to be incorrectly taking mega doses of hormones improperly. The last thing the manufacturer needs is a bunch of wrongful death lawsuits because the drug was available without regulation of any kind.

The RU-486 label warns about the possibility of serious or even fatal infections, which also can happen after surgical abortions. In its alert issued Friday, the FDA urged physicians to be aware of the possibility of infection following RU-486 and to consider giving antibiotics if symptoms appear.

The agency also cautioned against use of unapproved dosing regimens. The four earlier deaths occurred after women were given misoprostol vaginally, rather than orally. The approved regimen calls for oral administration of both drugs.

So ladies, no one is out to deny you anything. They are trying to look out for your health and welfare.

Source: Reuters