title: Defining reality: the potential role of pharmacists in assessing the impact of progesterone receptor modulators and misoprostol in reproductive health.
abstract: Medical abortion is increasingly heralded as an ideal method for decreasing maternal mortality in health-care resource-deprived areas and as an answer to the shrinking pool of physicians willing to perform abortions. The advent of progesterone receptor modulators (PRMs) and the recent approval by the Food and Drug Administration of ella (ulipristal) as an emergency contraceptive put pharmacists in the center of abortion controversy. Pharmacists, worldwide, need to be aware of the controversy surrounding the introduction of PRMs, particularly with regard to the effect on health policy, their mechanism of action, associated adverse events, and common off-label uses. Once understood, genuine opportunity exists for pharmacists to serve a fundamental role in positively shaping public health policy.
authors.affiliation: American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Holland, MI, USA. djhobgyn@wildblue.net
authors.forename: Donna J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: James G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Mitroka
mesh_terms: D000019:Abortifacient Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003283:Contraceptives, Postcoital, Synthetic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D015735:Mifepristone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009649:Norpregnadienes / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D056687:Off-Label Use; D010595:Pharmacists; D011358:Product Surveillance, Postmarketing / Q000639:trends; D024382:Professional Role; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000819:agonists* / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D018456:Reproductive Medicine / Q000639:trends; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000639:trends; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration
chemical_list: D000019:Abortifacient Agents; D003283:Contraceptives, Postcoital, Synthetic; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D009649:Norpregnadienes; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D016595:Misoprostol; D015735:Mifepristone; C094854:ulipristal