Doctors sound alarm over abortion pill restrictions

Dr. Wendy Norman, a UBC professor at the School of Population and Public Health, was interviewed by Radio Canada for a story on potential abortion pill restrictions.

Under a restricted drug access program, only registered doctors who complete a certified, online training program will be allowed to prescribe and dispense the home abortion pill, called Mifegymiso. Women would be unable to get the drug from a pharmacist.

This restriction is usually reserved for cases of suspected drug diversion or misuse.

“There is no evidence in any jurisdiction that women would seek and obtain a mifepristone prescription, yet not use it,” Norman said. “This requirement is medically unnecessary and demeaning to Canadian women.”