Spain's Ministry of Health proposes pharmacological abortion in primary care

Spain's Ministry of Health has launched a public consultation process for a royal decree aimed at facilitating pharmacological abortion within primary care settings. The proposed reform seeks to update the authorization and accreditation regulations for healthcare centers to accommodate this method.

The proposal intends to include the indication, prescription, monitoring, and management of potential complications of pharmacological abortion as official functions of Family Planning units. These responsibilities would fall under specialists in Obstetrics and Gynecology or Family and Community Medicine.

Because pharmacological methods used in the early weeks of pregnancy do not require complex surgical infrastructure, the Ministry suggests that current regulations—which focus on instrumental or surgical procedures—need modification. The reform also includes organizational mechanisms to ensure that the individual conscientious objection of healthcare professionals does not delay effective access for women. Interested parties may submit contributions to the Ministry until October 20, 2026.