Queensland abortion epicentre as cost of living impacts contraception

Queensland has been revealed as the highest dispenser of abortion pills in the nation, as the reason women in the Sunshine State are opting for the medication that carries “serious risks for patients” has been made clear.

AMAQ president Dr Maria Boulton

Doctors fear the cost-of-living crisis is forcing women to skip doctor’s appointments to access contraceptive prescriptions, as Queensland is revealed as the highest dispenser of abortion pills in the nation.

Australian Medical Association Queensland president Maria Boulton said the cost of seeing a GP and fill regular prescriptions, compounded by limited regional surgical abortion services, was also fuelling a demand for the abortion pills.

Medicare data reveals that 17430 prescriptions for MS-2-Step abortion pills were dispensed in Queensland in the 2022-23 financial year, compared with 8094 in Victoria and 6909 in NSW.

“Women in regional and remote areas find it harder to access surgical termination care, with long waiting lists and lengthy travel times,” Dr Boulton said.

“So it’s not surprising that they are making use of MS-2 Step instead of travelling to a major city for surgical termination.”

A private surgical abortion can cost close to $700.

The high numbers of prescriptions recorded for Queensland also include those that are distributed to other states. It is expected that access to MS-2 Step abortion pills will rise this year if any healthcare practitioners, including nurses and midwives are able to prescribe the pills.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration announced the changes last July, the Health and Other Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2023 was introduced into Parliament in November.

The Bill has been referred to the Queensland Parliamentary Health and Environment Committee for consideration and the committee is due to report on the Bill in March.

AMAQ members remain concerned about patient safety to allow registered nurses to give out the pills.

In a submission to the state government the AMAQ wrote: “MToP medicines carry serious risks for patients, including uncontrolled bleeding.

“Prescribers must be able to accurately date pregnancies, exclude ectopic pregnancy via a pelvic scan, determine if patients are at risk due to other existing conditions and ensure escalation pathways are available, including access to local emergency health care (usually within two hours’ drive).”

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said access to safe termination-of-pregnancy care was a basic human right that remained a significant health issue for Queenslanders.

“Queensland is the most decentralised state in the country, and it is extremely important to me that we address current gaps in delivery of care,” she said. 

“All pregnant women and people in Queensland deserve to have access to safe and compassionate world-class pregnancy and reproductive health care, no matter where they live.”

Children By Choice chief executive Daile Kelleher said the cost involved in having a baby always played a part in the decision to terminate.

Australian Christian Lobby Queensland director Rob Norman said the government’s push to increase access to medical abortions would only boost “already alarming” numbers even further.

“What real choices do Queensland women have if the only solution offered in hard times is abortion?” he said.

“What supports are being offered to pregnant women who face an unplanned pregnancy? “What is being done for women in domestic violence situations who are coerced into an abortion by an abusive partner?”

Originally published as Queensland abortion epicentre as cost of living impacts contraception