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BMC International Health and Human Rights

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Open Access 01-12-2018 | Debate

Realising the right to sexual and reproductive health: access to essential medicines for medical abortion as a core obligation

Authors: Katrina Perehudoff, Lucía Berro Pizzarossa, Jelle Stekelenburg

Published in: BMC International Health and Human Rights | Issue 1/2018

Abstract

Background

WHO has a pivotal role to play as the leading international agency promoting good practices in health and human rights. In 2005, mifepristone and misoprostol were added to WHO’s Model List of Essential Medicines for combined use to terminate unwanted pregnancies. However, these drugs were considered ‘complementary’ and qualified for use when in line with national legislation and where ‘culturally acceptable’.

Discussion

This article argues that these qualifications, while perhaps appropriate at the time, must now be removed. First, compelling medical evidence justifies their reclassification as a ‘core’ essential medicine. Second, continuing to subjugate essential medicines for medical abortion to domestic law and cultural practices is incoherent with today’s human rights standards in which universal access to these medicines is an inextricable part of the right to sexual and reproductive health, which should be supported and realised through domestic legislation.

Conclusion

This article shows that removing such limitations will align WHO’s Model List of Essential Medicines with the mounting scientific evidence, human rights standards, and its own more recently developed policy guidance. This measure will send a strong normative message to governments that these medicines should be readily available in a functioning and human-rights-abiding health system.

Misoprostol can be administered vaginally or sublingually. According to WHO Guidelines on Safe Abortion, strong evidence supports the use of the combination therapy up to 9 weeks of gestation and after 12 weeks of gestation [7]. Evidence from Uruguay indicates the combination therapy can be safely used up to 12 weeks of gestation [6].

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Title: Realising the right to sexual and reproductive health: access to essential medicines for medical abortion as a core obligation
Authors: Katrina Perehudoff
Lucía Berro Pizzarossa
Jelle Stekelenburg
Publication date: 01-12-2018
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC International Health and Human Rights / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1472-698X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12914-018-0140-z

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Realising the right to sexual and reproductive health: access to essential medicines for medical abortion as a core obligation

Abstract

Background

Discussion

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Discussion

Conclusion

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