Andrea Cioffi1. 1. Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopaedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy. Electronic address: an.cioffi19@gmail.com.
I recently published an article on the importance of ensuring access to abortion also during the COVID-19 pandemic [1]. The article referred to the fact that many Italian gynaecological associations, have called for greater recourse to medical abortion moving the legal limit for treatment from 7 to 9 weeks of pregnancy and also removing the Obligation of ordinary hospitalization in case of medical abortion [1].On August 8 2020 the Italian Minister of Health announced the new national guidelines on medical abortion via twitter: “The new guidelines, based on scientific evidence, provide for the voluntary termination of pregnancy with a pharmacological method in day hospital and up to the ninth week. It is an important step forward […]” [2].Therefore, in Italy, on the basis of the problems already analyzed in the reference article [1], the legal limits of abortion through Mifepristone will change. This procedure, as in other countries of the European Union, will be carried out (in Hospital day care) until the ninth week of pregnancy and will no longer need a hospitalization of 3 days after the administration of the drug. In fact, after 30 min of observation, women will be able to return home. Then, after 2 weeks, there will be a follow-up visit [3].This change, especially in the COVID-19 emergency phase, is an important milestone to ensure the self-determination of all women. Indeed, even in the presence of conscientious objectors and other health care problems [1], women will have access to medical abortion with fewer difficulties.