Become an MTOP provider

Unplanned pregnancies are incredibly common, with up to half of all Australian pregnancies unplanned. By providing medical termination of pregnancy (MTOP) services, GPs and other specialists can provide women and others living in their community better access to abortion.

Since 2012, GPs and obstetricians and gynaecologists have been able to prescribe medication abortion pills to patients through their practice. In Australia, the medications are marketed as MS 2-Step, and is listed on the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and Pharmaceutical Benefits Schemes (PBS).  

About medication abortions 

Medication abortions are available to end pregnancies less than nine weeks gestation (up to 63 days LMP). Medication abortions, or MS-2 Step, contain mifepristone – which stops the pregnancy from developing, and misoprostol – which causes cervical softening and uterine contractions, passing the products of conception. 

Mifepristone has been used worldwide by millions of women since the 1980s. A large Australian observational study of over 11,000 women who had a medication abortion found that nearly 80% would use it again, and over 90% would recommend it to a friend. This reflects international trends, where studies in Scotland, the US, Sweden, Norway and Finland have found that the large majority of women who chose an abortion through medication found it acceptable.  

Registration 

If you are an Australian healthcare professional and would like to become a certified prescriber or dispenser of MS-2 Step, you must first register online. Registration is free.  

Medication practitioners can register by going to the MS 2-Step website.  

• O&Gs will need to have current registration 
• GPs will additionally need to complete the free online training module 

To become a licensed prescriber, you will also require:  

• Suitable insurance 
• An affiliated pharmacist who is willing to stock and dispense the medication. MS Health will be able to assist you with locating a pharmacy.  

More detailed information is available on the MS Health website.  

Professional support for you

• Sexual & Reproductive Health Clinical Champion Network
  The Royal Women's Hospital Clinical Champion Network is a state-wide program that aims to improve access to safe and effective medical and surgical abortion and long acting contraception care by increasing training and capacity within outer metro, regional hospitals and primary healthcare. 
   
• Health Practitioner Resource Hub For Unintended Pregnancy And Abortion
  A selection of key resources, tools and materials designed by the Centre for Excellence in Rural Sexual Health (CERSH) to support clinicians working in the  unintended pregnancy and abortion space, including free online learning modules.
   
• Victorian Clinical Network for Abortion and Contraception Care
  A clinical network of practitioners involved in the provision of abortion and contraception services in Victoria. The network facilitated by the Centre for Excellence in Rural Sexual Health (CERSH) in partnership with the Royal Women's Hospital assists in building the capacity of the rural sector to proactively develop and deliver a responsive and inclusive service system for women experiencing unintended pregnancy and abortion. d Contraception Care 
   
• Closed group for registered MTOP GP providers 
  Find guidance, information and support from fellow GPs providing MTOP in this private Facebook group. 
   
• The Australian Contraception and Abortion Primary Care Practitioner Support Network
  A private online community for primary health care providers who are interested in increasing women's access to long acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) and medical abortion. This Community of Practice is designed to help clinicians connect with peers and access expert knowledge and information.

Additional support for your patients 

• MS Health Nurse After-care Telephone Service 
  MS Health provides a 24/7 phone support service, staffed by nurses specialising in the medication abortion process. This number is provided to patients: 1300 515 883 
   
• Local hospital emergency department 
  In the unlikely event of complications, patients can present to any hospital emergency department as if seeking treatment for a spontaneous miscarriage, vaginal bleeding or pain.