South Africa

Access to abortion is a fundamental human right and a basic healthcare. If you live in a country where access to abortion is restricted, you can get abortion pills through Women on Web.

Abortion is permitted on request up to 12 weeks. It is permitted up to 20 weeks of pregnancy for economic or social reasons and in cases of incest, rape or if the pregnancy endangers the woman or person’s physical or mental health. It is also permitted in case of fetal impairment or if the pregnancy endangers the woman or person’s life. For these cases no limitation regarding the lengths of pregnancy is mentioned in the legal text.

Abortion is covered by all medical aids in South Africa. This is because abortion is a prescribed minimum benefit (PMB). Prescribed minimum benefits are all the conditions that the government says all medical aids have to cover. You can submit your invoice to your medical aid for reimbursement or they might pay your healthcare provider directly. You could call your medical aid in advance to see what options they offer with your particular healthcare provider. If you have any difficulty tell them abortion is a PMB according to the Medical Schemes Act.

Abortion providers and any people assisting may be criminalized for an abortion outside of the legal conditions specified in the law.
Medical practitioners and providers have the right to refuse abortion services based on personal beliefs. However, medical practitioners and providers are obligated to refer individuals to another provider if they refuse service.

Mifepristone is officially registered by the country’s pharmaceutical authority.

A doctor's prescription may be required to get Mifepristone.

Mifepristone is distributed in pharmacies.

Misoprostol is officially registered by the country’s pharmaceutical authority.

There is no data available on whether Misoprostol is registered for gynecological indications (such as birth, miscarriage treatment or abortion care etc.), or if it is registered for other purposes only (such as arthritis or gastric ulcers etc.)..

A doctor's prescription may be required to get Misoprostol.

Misoprostol is distributed in pharmacies.

These are brand names under which Mifepristone, Misoprostol or Combi Packs (that contain both abortion pills Mifepristone and Misoprostol) are officially distributed and/or commonly found in the country.

Mifepristone:
Mifegyne, 200mg
Mediprist, 200mg

Misoprostol:
Cytotec, 200mcg
ARTHROTEC 50 and 75*, 200mcg, *contains Diclofenac!
RHEUTHROTEC 50 and 75*, 200mcg, *contains Diclofenac!

Combipack:
-

Safety notice: There are pills that contain a combination of Misoprostol and the painkiller Diclofenac. While manufactured for a different purpose they can still be used for abortion. Please find more info in our FAQ to avoid overdosing the Diclofenac.

These are comments about the estimated cost of abortion pills in your country.

1. "Combination mifepristone and misoprostol R900, Misoprostol alone R180 in pharmacies" - Abortion Support South Africa, June 2023

The actual costs of abortion pills are often difficult to determine, vary and change over time. Fill out our questionnaire to add and share your experience.

1. "Misoprostol is available at pharmacies and hospitals with a doctor's prescription. Access is easy with a prescription. It is important to note that illegal abortion providers mainly use Misoprostol. People seeking safe abortion care can do so at a public or private hospital, at Marie Stopes South Africa or at at registered medical practitioner. Hospitals, if not providing the service themselves, should refer clients to a centre that does.
   Unfortunately, South Africa is riddled with a large number of illegal abortion providers, giving abortion services that risk the health and safety of so many women who seek safe abortion care. Posters on street lamps, websites over run with stock images, spelling errors, etc are to be approached with extreme caution. These "services" are often marketed as "cheap" and "pain-free." No pre-abortion counseling takes place, and clients are given doses of medication that can be unsafe. An abortion provider must be registered, and like any other medical provider, they must have safe, clean facilities that comply with the Health Infrastructure Norms and Standards set out by the Department of Health." - Marie Stopes South Africa, November 2022
2. Mifepristone and misoprostol are avavilale in pharmacies. You will nee with a prescription. If a pharmacy does not have stock, you can ask them to order. Usually pharmacies can get stock within 24 hours. Not all pharmacies stock mifepristone - pharmacies attached to private hospitals are more likely to have stock.
   
   Most pharmacies are friendly and will help you with your prescription. A few pharmacists feel that abortion goes against their belief refuse to dispense. Pharmacies are not allowed to deny services to women seeking abortion pills but many do not know this. The best thing to do if a pharmacist turns you away is try another pharmacy and let them know that abortion is safe and legal and you have a right to access services. - Abortion Support South Africa, June 2023