The health ministry is exploring a proposal to broaden the availability of Japan’s first approved abortion pill, the Mefeego pill pack. Currently, this medication is only administered in hospitals with inpatient facilities. However, a national survey has revealed no severe complications since its approval in April last year, leading the ministry to consider allowing its use in outpatient clinics with 24-hour care and emergency coordination.
The ministry plans to present this proposal to its expert panel for further discussion.
Developed by the British pharmaceutical company Linepharma, the Mefeego pill pack is used to terminate pregnancies up to nine weeks. The treatment involves taking two types of pills, 36 to 48 hours apart.
While some countries permit at-home use of the pill pack, Japan restricts it to hospital settings, requiring patients to remain until the abortion is fully completed. This policy was initially implemented as a precaution due to Japan’s limited experience with the drug.
A government study reviewed about 36,000 abortions performed between May and October last year across 2,096 facilities. The Mefeego pill pack was used in 435 cases, with 39 of those requiring surgical abortions due to incomplete terminations. Importantly, no severe complications, such as heavy bleeding or severe allergic reactions, were reported.
Under the new proposal, patients would be allowed to return home if they live within 16 kilometers of the clinic and can attend a follow-up appointment within a week to confirm the abortion’s success.
Currently, the availability of the Mefeego pill pack varies by region. A health ministry official stated, “Expanding access to this medication will provide more non-surgical options and ensure equal access to abortion care across the country.”
