"RU486 is not like any other drug. It is designed to cause an abortion that will end a developing human life."

Monique Baldwin: Probe a prescription for social concern - theaustralian.news.com.au - January 31, 2006

"This week the Senate community affairs committee will begin hearings into the contentious abortion drug RU486. No doubt the committee will hear a lot about important issues such as women's health, reproductive freedom and the social and ethical implications of abortion. But the question before the Senate is primarily about who decides. Who should take ultimate responsibility for allowing abortion drugs such as RU486 to be evaluated, registered, listed or imported?
So what's changed? Do we need accountability and transparency any less now? The TGA was never designed to negotiate the public policy complexities that accompany debate about such a drug. This task lies with our elected - and accountable - representatives. And they should not wash their hands of this responsibility."

Monique Baldwin is a drug regulatory affairs associate with a pharmaceutical company in Sydney.