Skip to main content

Mifepristone (RU-486®) as a Schedule IV Controlled Drug-Implications for a Misleading Drug Policy on Women's Health Care.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Hsieh, Y-P; Wang, Y-J; Feng, L-Y; Wu, L-T; Li, J-H
Published in: Int J Environ Res Public Health
July 8, 2022

BACKGROUND: Mifepristone (RU-486) has been approved for abortion in Taiwan since 2000. Mifepristone was the first non-addictive medicine to be classified as a schedule IV controlled drug. As a case of the "misuse" of "misuse of drugs laws," the policy and consequences of mifepristone-assisted abortion for pregnant women could be compared with those of illicit drug use for drug addicts. METHODS: The rule-making process of mifepristone regulation was analyzed from various aspects of legitimacy, social stigma, women's human rights, and access to health care. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The restriction policy on mifepristone regulation in Taiwan has raised concerns over the legitimacy of listing a non-addictive substance as a controlled drug, which may produce stigma and negatively affect women's reproductive and privacy rights. Such a restriction policy and social stigma may lead to the unwillingness of pregnant women to utilize safe abortion services. Under the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, the US FDA's action on mifepristone prescription and dispensing reminds us it is time to consider a change of policy. CONCLUSIONS: Listing mifepristone as a controlled drug could impede the acceptability and accessibility of safe mifepristone use and violates women's right to health care.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Int J Environ Res Public Health

DOI

EISSN

1660-4601

Publication Date

July 8, 2022

Volume

19

Issue

14

Location

Switzerland

Related Subject Headings

  • Women's Health
  • Toxicology
  • Public Policy
  • Pregnancy
  • Pandemics
  • Mifepristone
  • Humans
  • Female
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment
  • COVID-19
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Hsieh, Y.-P., Wang, Y.-J., Feng, L.-Y., Wu, L.-T., & Li, J.-H. (2022). Mifepristone (RU-486®) as a Schedule IV Controlled Drug-Implications for a Misleading Drug Policy on Women's Health Care. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 19(14). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19148363
Hsieh, Yi-Ping, Yun-Ju Wang, Ling-Yi Feng, Li-Tzy Wu, and Jih-Heng Li. “Mifepristone (RU-486®) as a Schedule IV Controlled Drug-Implications for a Misleading Drug Policy on Women's Health Care.Int J Environ Res Public Health 19, no. 14 (July 8, 2022). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19148363.
Hsieh Y-P, Wang Y-J, Feng L-Y, Wu L-T, Li J-H. Mifepristone (RU-486®) as a Schedule IV Controlled Drug-Implications for a Misleading Drug Policy on Women's Health Care. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Jul 8;19(14).
Hsieh, Yi-Ping, et al. “Mifepristone (RU-486®) as a Schedule IV Controlled Drug-Implications for a Misleading Drug Policy on Women's Health Care.Int J Environ Res Public Health, vol. 19, no. 14, July 2022. Pubmed, doi:10.3390/ijerph19148363.
Hsieh Y-P, Wang Y-J, Feng L-Y, Wu L-T, Li J-H. Mifepristone (RU-486®) as a Schedule IV Controlled Drug-Implications for a Misleading Drug Policy on Women's Health Care. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Jul 8;19(14).

Published In

Int J Environ Res Public Health

DOI

EISSN

1660-4601

Publication Date

July 8, 2022

Volume

19

Issue

14

Location

Switzerland

Related Subject Headings

  • Women's Health
  • Toxicology
  • Public Policy
  • Pregnancy
  • Pandemics
  • Mifepristone
  • Humans
  • Female
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment
  • COVID-19