In order to “guarantee the right of women to abortion during the period of the Covid-19 epidemic by avoiding as much as possible going to a health establishment”, the High Authority for Health (HAS) has given its fire green to extend medical abortion at home to nine weeks.
- Medical abortion is authorized up to 9 weeks, i.e. two weeks longer
- This is to allow women to avoid going to a health facility during the health crisis
This is the news that many women and gynecologists were waiting. Seized urgently last week by the Minister of Health Olivier Véran, the High Authority for Health (HAS) has given the green light to extend voluntary termination of pregnancy with medication at home to nine weeks, compared to seven previously. A decision justified by “the need to guarantee women’s right to abortion during the period of the Covid-19 epidemic by avoiding as much as possible going to a health establishment”.
Until then, medical abortion was authorized up to seven weeks of amenorrhea (date of the last menstrual period) at home and nine in hospitals. But, given the current context, worried gynecologists challenged politicians at the end of March in a tribune of the World. “To limit the demands on hospital teams, we would like abortions to be authorized by medical means at home up to nine weeks of amenorrhea, i.e. seven weeks of pregnancy. This option is validated by the WHO and does not present any particular hazard”, they wrote.
The Minister of Health then assured that he had “understood” this request and that arrangements would be made quickly to facilitate medical abortion during confinement. “It is out of the question that the Covid-19 epidemic restricts the right to abortion in our country”he said, adding that he had feedback attesting to the fact that there is a worrying reduction in the use of abortion” currently. And to add: “medicated abortions must be encouraged, facilitated, while guaranteeing a free choice”.
Replace ibuprofen with paracetamol “combined with opium or codeine”
Today, to extend this right, HAS has defined a new drug protocol. The latter combines the intake of two molecules and is validated by the National College of French Gynecologists and Obstetricians (CNGOF) and the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM), she explains in a press release.
In terms of pain management, she recommends a “a prescription for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs which can be systematic or on demand”. She also advises replacing ibuprofen, “benchmark analgesic in medical abortion”-currently not recommended due to the Covid-19 epidemic-by “paracetamol combined with opium or codeine”. “It is desirable that the patient is not alone at home, which justifies a travel waiver for the accompanying person”it is specified.
Finally, remember that since last week, medical abortions can be prescribed and monitored entirely by tele-consultation.
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