PERTH Catholics have joined other Australians in voicing concerns about the possibility of the abortion drug RU486 being available for less than $6.
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee recently recommended Mifepristone (RU486) and the accompanying Misoprostol be included on the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme (PBS).
If the government decides to implement the recommendation, each drug would cost $5.90 for concession holders. At present, the drugs cost about $300.
Fr Peter Tran, a consultant at Perth’s LJ Goody Bioethics Centre, said he would be disappointed if the recommendation was approved.
“Life is to be respected from conception, that has been the Church’s teaching from the beginning,” he said.
The two drugs can be used to terminate a pregnancy of up to 49 days, often causing a miscarriage within 24 hours of use.
“If we let the government go ahead and put this on the PBS, those of us who object to it on conscience will have to pay for this abortion drug,” Fr Tran said.
Australian Family Association president, John Barich, said placing the drug on the PBS would make it more easily available.
“It’s obviously encouraging more abortions,” he said. “[Abortions] are hardly going to be rare if you’re giving out the pill like you’re giving out peanuts.”