Health Canada’s approval of the abortion pill, known as RU-486, spurred debate in Winnipeg.
The medication has been used in France since 1988 and America since 2000.
After a 2.5 year review, Health Canada approved the drug for use in Canada.
Leigh Anne Caron with the Women’s Health Clinic said the medication will make abortion access easier for women in rural and remote communities.
“It will give access for women to not just have surgeries but also have a medical abortion, followed by a doctor, but also at home,” said Caron.
Right now, many women from remote communities have to travel to Winnipeg and stay overnight to have the procedure.
Caron also said that RU-486 has fewer side effects than currently available medication.
But the president of Manitoba Youth for Life said the drugs’ side effects are serious.
“It’s a dangerous pill. It’s heavy bleeding, nausea, vomiting, painful uterine contractions, and sometimes it doesn’t work properly,” said Thamer Linklater.
Health Canada said that some women experienced serious sideeffects, but most felt mild to moderate ones.
It said that the pill is about 95 percent effective.
It’s expected the pill will be available in Canada in 2016.
