Supporters lauded the approval as a milestone, making abortion more private and improvingaccess for womenliving in areas where surgical abortions are not available. Antiabortion organisations, which have fought since 1988 to keep RU-486 out of the United States, assert that the pill carries health risks for women. The FDA's announcement has prompted a flurry of statements from politicians and organisations on both sides of the issue. As president, I will work to build a culture that respects life. The National Right to Life Committee vowed to fight RU- 486 through educational efforts.
Mifepristone works by causing the embryo to detach from the uterine lining.
To induce an abortion, the drug is taken with misoprostol, which causes contractions and aids in expelling the embryo. Under the approved regimen, a woman first takes three mifepristone pills by mouth. Two days later, she returns to the doctor to take the second drug. She returns for a follow up visit within two weeks to make sure the abortion is complete. Under the terms of the approval, mifepristone will be distributed to physicians who have access to ultrasonography to determine the duration of a patient's pregnancy and detect an ectopic pregnancy, which is a contraindication for use of RU-486.