As representatives of Olin Health Center and the MSU Health Team, of which Olin is a partner, we feel it is important to provide important clinical information on the federally mandated use of RU-486. This pill - also known by the chemical name mifeprisone and marketed as Mifeprex - when combined with another drug, a prostaglandin misoprostol, causes an abortion in most women without surgery. But prescribing this drug is not as simple as dispensing a few pills.
Under federal law, Mifeprex must be provided by or under the supervision of a physician who meets the following qualifications:
Safe clinical management, even without consideration of these federal guidelines, would require not only an ultrasound machine, but also ultrasound technicians and ultrasound-trained physicians to accurately assess the duration of pregnancy or to diagnose ectopic pregnancies. A physician must be available for 24-hour coverage for treatment of possible complications that may be associated with mifeprisone. In addition, for the cases in which the medications do not successfully terminate the pregnancy, surgical termination is still required.
Under federal and state laws, each patient must also be provided with a medication guide, patient agreement form and counseling to explain the procedure and side effects.
There are other facilities and clinics in the East Lansing area that can provide this service expeditiously, and Olin providers can refer to these clinics if the patient chooses this option.
We think it is in the patient’s best interest to have the services provided at one clinic with a provider who has close access to ultrasound equipment and can provide evaluation and possibly surgical intervention for complications that may occur after taking Mifeprex.
Margaret Knapp, M.D.
chief operating officer,
MSU Health Team
Glynda M. Moorer, M.D.
Olin Health Center director
