Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Annalisa Merelli
Published on 2024-02-15 16:00:56
A new study published in Nature Medicine has found that abortion pills are safe to prescribe, even when done remotely. The study comes as the Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments over access to the abortion medication mifepristone. The researchers observed over 6,000 patients who received medication abortion through pills delivered via mail after a telehealth consultation, through either video calls or text messages. They found that 97.7% of the patients had complete abortions, with only 2.3% needing further doses of medication or evacuation procedures. The study also found that patients had severe adverse events in 0.25% of cases, and the success and adverse event rates from this study are comparable to those reported by in-person prescriptions.
This study adds to previous research on the safety and effectiveness of abortion medication. The findings may impact the conversation around telehealth abortion, especially in the U.S., where foreign studies rarely impact the discussion. Ushma Upadhyay, a professor of public health at the University of California, San Francisco, and the study’s lead author, highlighted that the FDA and many others don’t believe a study until they see it proven among U.S. populations.
The study, named California Home Abortion by Telehealth (CHAT), was originally meant to take place only in California. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the FDA removed the in-person requirements for prescriptions of abortion medication, allowing the study to expand to virtual abortion clinics in 20 states. A crucial difference identified in the study was that an ultrasound wasn’t necessary in the majority of cases if the patient already knew how far along they were. This makes the process more affordable and less time-consuming for both the patient and health care provider.
Currently, about 10% of abortion pills are prescribed via telehealth. Julia Rollison, a senior policy researcher at the policy nonprofit RAND, emphasized that the findings from this study could improve the accessibility and safety of medication abortion prescribed via telehealth. This is particularly important for those who may have difficulty accessing in-person care based on their location or personal circumstances.
The study also follows the retraction of two studies that had pointed to supposed dangers associated with abortion pills. This contributed to misinformation that could lead to confusion or misconceptions about the legality and safety of abortion pills.
In light of the study’s findings, it is essential for lawmakers and policy advocates to clearly communicate the availability and safety of telehealth abortion services. Enhancing accessibility to safe and effective abortion care is crucial, especially for individuals who face barriers to in-person care based on their location or personal circumstances.
