Rethinking Ru 486

RU 486, THE SO-CALLED FRENCH ABORTION PILL, would probably sail through the persnickety approval process at the Food and Drug Administration -- if someone would put in an application. The drug has few side effects, is safer than surgical abortion, and is very effective for ending a pregnancy in the first trimester. Though RU 486 would be a big seller, French manufacturer Roussel Uclaf has avoided seeking approval in the U.S. Reason: the militant antiabortion movement, which had supporters in Presidents Reagan and Bush.

With Bill Clinton in charge, Roussel Uclaf may be reconsidering. Its president, Edouard Sakiz, met with FDA Commissioner David Kessler and agreed in principle that the U.S. should have RU 486. Sakiz prefers that another firm handle distribution. If he finds one, a large clinical trial could soon begin.