ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 19

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 1996 SESSION

By Assemblywoman WEINBERG

An Assembly Resolution memorializing the federal Food and Drug Administration to lift its ban on RU486 and approve its use in this country.

Whereas, Mifepristone, known as RU486, a pill which, among other uses, induces abortion in the very early stages of pregnancy, has been in use in France since its approval there in 1988; and

Whereas, RU486 has proven to be a safe and effective method of termination of pregnancy, marking a great advancement over other pregnancy-ending techniques and offering women a non-surgical choice preferable to an invasive surgical procedure; and over 60,000 French women have used RU486 successfully; and

Whereas, RU486 has also been used effectively in cases of prolonged and difficult labor, often reducing the need for a Caesarean section; has been valuable in treating Cushing's disease; and appears to be a promising treatment for brain tumors and ovarian and breast cancers; and

Whereas, The American Medical Association passed a resolution in 1990 supporting the legal availability of RU486 for appropriate research and, if indicated, clinical practice; and

Whereas, The federal Food and Drug Administration has imposed an import ban on RU486, effectively halting any research involving the drug in this country; now, therefore,

    Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1. The federal Food and Drug Administration is urged to lift its ban on the importation of RU486 due to its significant medical value and to approve the use of RU486 for research and clinical practice in the United States.

    2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker and attested by the Clerk, shall be transmitted to the Commissioner of the United States Food and Drug Administration, the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services and every member of the Congress of the United States elected from the State of New Jersey.

STATEMENT

    This resolution urges the federal Food and Drug Administration to lift its ban on importation of the pill known as RU486 due to its significant medical value and to approve its use for research and clinical practice in the United States. RU486, which, among other uses, induces abortion when administered in the very early stages of pregnancy, has been used successfully by over 60,000 French women since its approval in that country in 1988. The pill has also been used effectively in cases of prolonged and difficult labor, often reducing the need for a Caesarean section; has been valuable in treating Cushing's disease; and appears to be a promising treatment for brain tumors and ovarian and breast cancers.

Urges FDA to lift ban on RU486 and approve its use in this country.