Campaign Life Coalition disappointed by suggestion, not surprised

OTTAWA (CCN)

A public agency has recommended Canadian taxpayers foot the bill for the abortion drugs Mifepristone and Misoprostol.

The Canadian Drug Expert Committee of the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) released its recommendation April 18 that the drugs “be reimbursed for medical termination of a developing intrauterine pregnancy.”

Campaign Life Coalition has warned about effects of abortion drugs, formerly known as RU-486, since the late 1990s.

“We are not surprised, but we remain very disappointed,” said Johanne Brownrigg, in charge of government relations at Campaign Life’s Ottawa office. “There isn’t a province in the country whose health-care system is not under tremendous pressure to deliver health care. Funding this drug just takes that money away from real health-care needs.”

The CATH based its conclusions on studies that show positive outcomes for the drugs.

Brownrigg noted the duration of the studies was less than six weeks.

“It’s disheartening that a study that was shorter than six weeks is going to be the basis for a seismic shift in abortion delivery in Canada,” she said. “I assume the next step is the provinces will pick this up and act on the recommendations.”

The report says almost all women in studies aged 14 years old and up seeking an abortion experienced adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and thermoregulatory symptoms, but these are known side effects of prostaglandins.

No deaths or withdrawals by patients were reported, but in one study, 11 per cent of the women experience extreme adverse events including “heavy bleeding, fainting, and lower abdominal pain requiring hospitalization and dilation and curettage.”

The study showed the cost of a chemical abortion is actually higher – by almost $80 – than the cost of a surgical abortion by vacuum aspirator in a clinic, though about $400 less expensive than an abortion in a hospital.

Health Canada’s says the abortion drugs should only be dispensed by physicians at their offices, but the recommendation is not legally binding, Brownrigg said, and there is pressure from pro-abortion groups to make the drugs available through pharmacies.

To use the drugs, a uterine, rather than an ectopic, pregnancy must be confirmed, and there must be follow-up visits to a doctor, Brownrigg said. “The idea this is a panacea for rural and remote women who have a crisis pregnancy is a lie.”

Campaign Life Coalition Youth has released a video campaign on social media under the hashtags #RU-486 and #RU-CRAZY raise awareness of the dangers of the abortion drugs.