Prior to arriving at the pharmacy for MIFE / MISO, people seeking abortion, hereinafter called “patients”, will already have had a conversation with prescribers about medication abortion (MA) such as pregnancy options, eligibility, risks and efficacy[10].
When counselling patients, dispensers should provide a private space for counselling, ensure confidentiality and go over the key points below using an inclusive language[10]:
- Confirm that the decision is the patients’ own, reached without coercion.
- Verify the written date of the prescription; if the prescription was written 7 or more days from when the prescription was brought to the pharmacy, the pharmacist may want to follow-up with the prescriber.
- Emphasize that in the event of an ongoing pregnancy post-MA, another dose of MISO or procedural abortion is recommended as both MIFE and MISO are teratogenic.
- Exclude contraindications.
- Review the date and time patients plan to take MIFE / MISO.
- Review the date that patients have a follow up with their prescriber.
Ensure patients have the following before leaving[10]:
- Sanitary pads and liners.
- Pain medication and/or anti-nauseants (Over-the-counter or prescription).
- Access to emergency care.
- Support for childcare, transportation, and groceries.
Ensure patients understand how to administer MIFE / MISO, how to manage side effects, and know when and how to seek care (see below).
