Until as recently as September 2017, Chile was one of the few countries in the world that did not permit abortion under any circumstances. Although the Health Code had permitted therapeutic abortion (i.e., on health grounds) from 1931, this was repealed in 1989 as one of General Pinochet’s last acts in office. It took more than 25 years to reverse the ban.
Finally, a new act was approved on September 2017 allowing abortion on three grounds: when a woman’s life is in danger, when there are fetal anomalies incompatible with life, and in the case of rape [1] .
Is Abortion Legal in Chile?
Abortion in Chile is legal in the following cases: when the mother’s life is at risk, when the fetus will not survive the pregnancy, and in the case of rape. The latter is limited to the first 12 weeks of pregnancy; 14 weeks, if the woman is under 14 years old [1].
What Types of Abortion are Available in Chile?
Medical: Mainly Misoprostol-only regimens. Upon approval of mifepristone on 2019, combined regimens are being used.
Surgical: MVA and D&C.
What is the abortion rate in Chile? How Many Women Have Abortions?
Abortion represents the fourth leading cause of maternal death with a total of 89 deaths in the period 2000-2015, 28,531 correspond to hospital abortion discharges in 2015. According to figures from the Ministry of Health, more than 33,000 abortions are performed per year [3].
Abortion with Pills (Medical Abortion) in Chile
Are the Abortion Pills (Mifepristone and Misoprostol) Available in Chile?
Mifepristone:
Available only for the public health system use.
Misopostrol:
Regulated under the controlled-prescription modality; that is, it is not available over the counter [4].
How Late Into a Pregnancy Can the Abortion Pills Be Used?
Technically, medical regimens can be used at any gestational age, provided the recommended regimen is used for any specific indication/gestational age.
Do I Need a Prescription for Mifepristone? Misoprostol?
Mifepristone:
Not yet available in pharmacies.
Misoprostol:
Yes, a prescription is required [4].
What Brands of Abortion Pill Are Popular in Chile?
Mifepristone:
Mifepristona, 200 mg. DKT Chile.
Misoprostol:
Cytotec, 200 µg. Pfizer
Misotrol, 200 µg. Sanofi-Aventis [5]
How Much Do the Abortion Pills Cost in Chile?
Mifepristone:
Information not yet available.
Misoprostol:
The dose of 800 µg (4 pills), is sold at an average value of 40,000 Chilean pesos ($55 USD); $13.75 USD per pill.
The value of full medical treatment by the Legal Termination of Pregnancy Law (includes specialty consultation of Obstetrics and Gynecology and medicines) is:
Level 1, $12,580 ($17.28 USD). Beneficiary pays: $6,290 ($8.64 USD)
Level 2, $16,350 ($22.46 USD). Beneficiary pays: $10,060 ($13.82 USD)
Level 3, $20,130 ($27.66 USD). Beneficiary pays: $13,840 ($19.02 USD).
The public health network already has in stock for distribution to the health facilities 2,550 tablets of mifepristone and 82,000 of misoprostol, two drugs indicated to terminate pregnancies under the three legal grounds.
Who Can I Contact for More Information on Abortion in Chile?
- Corporación MILES, https://mileschile.cl/
- Infoaborto Chile, www.infoabortochile.org
- Con las amigas y en la casa, conlasamigasyenlacasa@riseup.net; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/conlasamigas/
- Mujeres en ronda, mujeresenronda@riseup.net [2]
In-Clinic Abortion in Chile
What are the Different Types of in-Clinic Abortion Procedures Available in Chile?
Manual vacuum aspiration abortions (MVA) and Dilation & Curetage abortions (D&C) for the first trimester.
Where Can I get a Manual Vacum Aspiration (MVA) Abortion in Chile?
Abortion surgical procedures for the first trimester (such MVA) are available at public and private health facilities.
How Much Does Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA) Cost in Chile?
The value of an MVA procedure by the Legal Termination of Pregnancy Law is:
Level 1, $47,610 ($65.42 USD). Beneficiary pays: $23,810 ($32.72 USD)
Level 2, $61,890 ($85.04 USD). Beneficiary pays: $38,090 ($52.34 USD)
Level 3, $76,180 ($104.67 USD). Beneficiary pays: $52,380 ($71.97 USD).
How to get further information?
For additional information and support, you can get in touch with our trained multilingual female counselors
[1] NCBI. Abortion in Chile. The Long Road to Legalization and its Slow Implementation. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6927382/
[2] Cómo hacerse un aborto. Chile. Retrieved from: http://comohacerseunaborto.com/es/chile/
[3] Miles. Aborto en Chile. Retrieved from: http://mileschile.cl/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/capi%E2%95%A0%C3%BCtulo-aborto-en-chile.pdf
[4] Ministerio de Salud. Declaración pública del Ministerio de Salud. Retrieved from: https://www.minsal.cl/declaracion-publica-del-ministerio-de-salud/#:~:text=Es%20un%20medicamento%20que%20se%20rige%20bajo%20la%20modalidad%20de,m%C3%A9dica%20y%20bajo%20par%C3%A1metros%20controlados
[5] Misotrol Santiago. Venta de misotrol. Retrieved from: https://www.abortochile.com/
[6] Asociación Chilena de Protección de la Familia. Retrieved from: https://www.aprofa.cl/
[7] Sitio Oficial Venta de Misotrol Chile. Pastilla Abortiva Chile. Retrieved from: https://www.vendomisotrol.cl/
[8] Farmacias Ahumada. Manual Farmacoterapéutico. Retrieved from: https://web.farmaciasahumada.cl/fasaonline/fasa/MFT/MFT.HTM?w=DROGAS-D373.HTM