The Russian government is restricting access to pharmaceuticals that induce abortions. The Russian Ministry of Health announced on Tuesday new restrictions on the distribution and sale of abortion drugs in pharmacies.
The restrictions are aimed specifically at misoprostol and mifepristone. According to translations from the Moscow Times, subject-quantitative registration now limits the availability of the two medicines.
The restrictions will begin on September 1, 2024, and remain in effect for exactly six years.
In July, Health Minister Mikhail Murashko proposed adding the two abortion drugs to the registry, stating that they pose both medical and ethical dangers to Russian women.
Attitudes toward abortion in Russia are undergoing a cultural transition at present. The country’s leadership and reactionary communities have exploited the current climate to promote anti-abortion regulations, despite the country’s formerly liberal stance on the issue.
The Russian Orthodox Church, which enjoys a historically significant relationship with the nation’s politics, is also staunchly opposed to abortion based on Christian morals.
Under the new restrictions, those seeking the drug will be required to procure a prescription from a physician prior to purchase.
In addition, medical practitioners will need a special license to administer the abortion-inducing medication. Providers will also be required to monitor and report their drug distribution.
