The US Food and Drug Administration should consider approving the French
鈥榓bortion pill鈥� mifepristone (RU486) on the basis of European data, rather
than waiting for clinical trials in the US, according to a panel of experts
convened by the US National Academy of Sciences. 鈥楳ifepristone appears to
be efficacious and safe,鈥� the panel states in a report released last week.
The panel also called for 鈥榓ggressive research鈥� on using RU486 and other
drugs in the antiprogrestin class as contraceptives and as treat-ment for
endometriosis, uter-ine fibroids, advanced breast cancer and meningioma
brain tumours.
In January, President Clinton signalled a change in attitude towards
the use of RU486 in the US when he signed an Executive Order calling for
research on the drug.
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