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

Yi-Ping Hsieh, Yun-Ju Wang, Ling-Yi Feng, Li-Tzy Wu and Jih-Heng Li
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Yi-Ping Hsieh: Department of Social Work, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA
Yun-Ju Wang: College of Law, National Chung-Cheng University, Chia-Yi 62102, Taiwan
Ling-Yi Feng: Doctoral/Master Degree Program in Toxicology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
Li-Tzy Wu: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
Jih-Heng Li: Doctoral/Master Degree Program in Toxicology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 14, 1-13

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: mifepristone (RU-486 ® ); drug scheduling; abortion; stigma; human rights; drug policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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