Without in-person dispensing requirements, more OB-GYNs would provide medication abortion

Published March 31, 2021

The Food and Drug Administration requires certified providers to dispense mifepristone, one of the drugs used in medication abortion, directly to the patient in a clinic, medical office, or hospital. This study’s findings indicate that removing that requirement could lead to more providers of medication abortion, including in regions with limited abortion access.

Key Findings

In a national survey of OB-GYNs, 19% reported providing medication abortion in the previous year.
Among those not providing medication abortion, 24% said they would do so if the in-person dispensing requirement for mifepristone were removed—suggesting a potential doubling of providers.
An additional 22% of those who had abortion-seeking patients but did not provide medication abortion indicated that they were “not sure” if they would offer medication abortion if the dispensing requirement were removed, so the theoretical increase might be underestimated.
The largest hypothetical increases were in the Midwest and the South, areas with limited abortion access.

Study Design

Researchers conducted a survey survey between August 2016 and March 2017 of a national sample of practicing OB-GYNs. They limited their sample to the 868 respondents who had reported having any abortion-seeking patients in the last year.

Implications

Currently, clinicians who want to provide medication abortions must stock the drug in their practice, adding up-front costs and administrative burdens. Removing this requirement could increase the number of medication abortion providers across the country, including in settings with limited access.

 

“The in-person dispensing requirement for mifepristone codified in the drug’s REMS is a barrier to clinician provision of the method. Removing this requirement could increase the number of medication abortion providers across the country, including in settings with limited access.”

The article, Obstetrician-gynecologist willingness to provide medication abortion with removal of the in-person dispensing requirement for mifepristone, is available in Contraception.

Areas of Research