1982 Roussel Uclaf reports a successful initial trial of mifepristone to induce abortion, and begins years of trials in several countries to test the drug in women less than seven weeks pregnant. The U.S. National Institutes of Health begin to support research on other potential medical uses of mifepristone. The French Ministry of Health announces approval of mifepristone combined with a prostaglandin for early medical abortion. Mifepristone is approved in China, but Roussel suspends its plan for distribution there and in other countries. 1989 Mifepristone becomes available in France.
Mifepristone is approved for use in the United Kingdom.
Mifepristone is approved for use in Sweden. An oral prostaglandin is approved for use with mifepristone in France. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows effectiveness of mifepristone plus an oral prostaglandin. Clinical trial of mifepristone for early termination of pregnancy begins in the United States under Population Council sponsorship. The U.S. clinical trial ends.