Medical abortion within the Brazilian context: analyzing potential impacts of adopting a MifeMiso regimen
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1590/s2175-97902026e24370Keywords:
Induced abortion, Misoprostol, Mifepristone, BrazilAbstract
In Brazil, when not criminalized, premature interruption of pregnancy may be performed through surgical abortion procedures (SAP) or medical abortion (MA). In the latter case, misoprostol monotherapy is the only available option, although the MifeMiso combination, which entails misoprostol administration after pretreatment with mifepristone, is the World Health Organization’s (WHO) preferred method. Here, we provide a state-of-the-art literature review, an evaluation of Brazilian clinical protocols, and a data analysis methodology exemplifying the impacts of adopting MifeMiso over misoprostol-only. The combination stands out for its superior efficacy, acceptability, and cost-effectiveness. Our findings show that the Brazilian technical standard could be improved, and that it would be valuable to have mifepristone approved for MA in the country. While legalization of abortion seems distant for Brazil, discussing all aspects of abortion is crucial for proper management of health resources, since the health system already bears the costs of illegal abortion.
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