The Wire

As the debate over the controversial drug RU486 rages on, one of Australia’s sexual and reproductive healthcare providers says there’s already an available alternative for women seeking a medical abortion. The drug methotrexate was developed in the 1950’s as a cancer drug, and is licensed in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. But the drug can also be used in medical abortions, and it’s been used in this way in Canada for quite some time. Jill Michelson from healthcare provider Marie Stopes International explained the difference between methotrexate and RU486