April 2006
Mifegyne is the trade name for the more commonly known 'abortion pill'. Despite few legislative problems with importing the abortion pill into New Zealand, commercial laws stated that the pill could only be exported to registered pharmaceutical companies and not many were happy to import believing it to be too sensitive an issue.
This film looks at the two clinics in New Zealand that do provide the abortion pill to patients. In a private clinic in Auckland, 14% pf women have opted for the pill over the past 2 years and the complication rate is a low 1.6% for over 400 terminations.
Many have criticised the abortion pill, claiming it to be a 'quick fix'. 'Safe and Sound?' questions doctors and patients to show that this is not the case. Not only does the process take three days before the pregnancy is expelled, it can cost from NZ$1,000 to 1,200 in a private clinic and many strict protocol have been placed upon the procedure within New Zealand. The speculation that the abortion pill increases the numbers of abortions has also been unfounded in New Zealand. Many say that "it is fair to women, where possible, to be given a choice".
Produced by ABC Australia
Distributed by Journeyman Pictures
