Impact of an early medical abortion at home pack of medicines in Scotland

Why was change required?

Abortion care involves the provision of up to seven medicines: abortifacients,1 analgesia, an antiemetic, contraception2 and occasionally an antibiotic. This is a large volume of pharmaceuticals supplied and is similar to the amount of medicines supplied after a heart attack. More medicines per intervention carries greater complexity and associated problems.3

Legislation changes during the COVID-19 pandemic allows for abortion medicines to be taken at home in Scotland for up to 12 weeks’ gestation.4 Previously mifepristone needed to be consumed at an approved clinical site. Significant time was spent by clinical staff assembling medicines boxes for postage and collection. Full packs of antiemetic medicines and analgesia were given locally, more than required for the procedure, leading to accumulation and wastage in patient homes. Provision of analgesia and antiemetics across Scotland vary leading to unnecessary variation.

To reduce staff time spent on…

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