Letter to our Patients Re: Mifepristone Medication Abortion

February 5, 2008

Dear Planned Parenthood Patients,

At Planned Parenthood, patient safety is our number one priority. That’s why we wanted to tell you about an article in today’s New York Times. The article is about a company that manufactures drugs in China.

The New York Times reports that leukemia (cancer) drugs made by the company have been linked to adverse events, like paralysis, in cancer patients in China. The article also says that in a different facility, the same company makes mifepristone, one of the drugs used in mifepristone medication abortion, also known as the abortion pill. The abortion pill is an option for women seeking abortion early in pregnancy.

As patient advocates, Planned Parenthood’s number one concern is your safety. We are closely monitoring this situation to make sure we are doing everything we can to protect our patients. Planned Parenthood and the public health community are looking to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for more information about this news story.

According to the New York Times, the FDA recently inspected the facility that makes mifepristone. The FDA found no problems at the facility that makes mifepristone. The FDA said that the facility that manufactures mifepristone is not linked to the problems at the facility that makes leukemia drugs.

We know that some patients may have questions about mifepristone medication abortion as a result of this news. As a trusted reproductive health care provider, Planned Parenthood closely monitors patient experiences to ensure the highest standard of care. Our monitoring shows that mifepristone medication abortion continues to be a safe abortion option.

If you are a woman undergoing mifepristone medication abortion at a Planned Parenthood health center, you should attend your scheduled follow-up appointment and contact us if you have any questions or concerns. When choosing mifepristone medication abortion at one of our health centers, you will receive extensive education and information so you can understand what to expect and whom to contact for support with any concern, at any time — 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Planned Parenthood medical professionals are available around the clock if you need to speak with someone.

Sincerely,

PPRI Health Center Staff

Letter to our Patients Re: Federal Abortion Ban

April 18, 2007

Dear Planned Parenthood Patients,

Today the United States Supreme Court made a decision that will affect some second-trimester abortions at Planned Parenthood. This law does not take effect immediately.

Planned Parenthood is committed to the health and safety of our patients, and we will continue to provide high-quality care, including abortion services, to our patients. Our medical professionals and lawyers are analyzing today’s court decision, and we will let you know of any changes in abortion care once we have fully evaluated the situation.

No changes in the law have gone into effect at this time. If you have an appointment, you should still come in. When you come in for your appointment, you and your doctor will discuss your situation, his or her recommendations, and your options. The bottom line is that we can help you and we are here to answer your questions.

If you need to make an appointment, contact us at 1-800-230-PLAN. If you are in the process of undergoing an abortion or are scheduled for a follow-up visit, it is very important that you attend your next appointment. If you have any questions, please contact us at 1-800-230-PLAN or visit us online at www.ppri.org.

I want to reassure you that abortion is still legal in this country, and that Planned Parenthood is here for you. If you are scheduled to visit one of our health centers, our doors will be open. You can depend on us.

For 90 years, Planned Parenthood has been a trusted health care provider — every year, nearly five million women, men, and teens rely on our reproductive health care, education, and information services. While we are very disappointed by today’s Supreme Court decision, we remain – as always – focused on providing you with high-quality reproductive health care.

Sincerely,

PPRI Health Center Staff