2541 Doctors and academics worldwide consulted on pregnancy termination drugs to reduce deaths from unsafe abortions.
2547 The World Health Organization conducted global research, confirming that the drug is safe and effective, and included it in the world’s essential medicines list.
2548 The first study of the drug began in Thailand, but since Thailand is a Buddhist country, abortion is considered sinful. It is believed that women who are not ready for pregnancy are bad, and teenagers are promiscuous. Additionally, the law is ambiguous, and society believes that abortion is illegal in all cases. These myths have led to the proliferation of low-quality, expensive illegal abortion drugs available online, but there are no services in the health system.
2554 Efforts began again to have effective drugs in Thailand’s health system, driven by knowledge. This started with research on drug use in service systems, alongside building understanding among people in society. It was a collaboration with the government, private sector, and civil society networks.
From 2557 onwards, pregnancy termination drugs were registered in Thailand and later included in the national essential medicines list.
Currently, registered pregnancy termination drugs are not generally available, not in pharmacies, and not sold online. However, they are available in hospitals participating in a special program with the Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health. Doctors providing pregnancy termination services have formed a network called “RSA Volunteer Doctors” (Referral System for Safe Abortion) to prevent teenagers and women from hemorrhaging and dying from unsafe illegal abortions.
Source: Reported by RSA journalists from the 3rd National Conference on Sexual Health, Teenage Pregnancy: From Strategy to Sustainable Practice, January 28, 2019, topic “The Success Journey of Pregnancy Termination Drugs: From Underground to Health System”
Moderator: Dr. Boonrit Sukrat, Assistant Director of the Bureau of Reproductive Health, Department of Health
Speakers: Dr. Wannapha Narawet, Faculty of Public Health, Thammasat University, Dr. Chanchai Boonyoo, Director of Buayai Hospital, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Dr. Suraphan Saengsawang, Director of Health Promotion Hospital, Health Center 1, Chiang Mai