Mifepristone Use Expected to Rise.

Mifepristone does not appear to be widely embraced by women seeking abortion, but some experts say the drug is gradually gaining broader acceptance.

Although exact prescription numbers are not available from the drug's manufacturer, Danco Laboratories, a spokesperson for the company noted that 70% of requests for mifepristone (Mifeprex) are coming through clinics run by the National Abortion Foundation or Planned Parenthood. The remaining 30% of prescriptions are coming from physician's offices and independent clinics.

Of the 900 Planned Parenthood sites nationwide, 150 offer abortion services. Of these 150 clinics, 88 currently offer medical abortion using mifepristone, said Colleen McCabe of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, based in New York.

And some say demand for medical abortion is growing. For example, the Planned Parenthood affiliate in Chicago recently increased its offering of medical abortion services from 1 to 5 days per week.

"What I have heard is that the distribution is slow but increasing steadily," said Heather Boonstra, senior public policy associate at the Alan Guttmacher Institute, a nonprofit organization focused on reproductive health research, policy analysis, and public education in New York.

Demand for the drug also may increase as more women learn about it. The Washington-based National Abortion Foundation recently launched a $2 million public awareness campaign about medical abortion to promote education and awareness about mifepristone.

To date, most mifepristone use has been through clinics because they have experience with providing abortions and already have systems set up for counseling patients, Ms. Boonstra said.