The controversial abortion drug RU486 could be available as early as next week with the Victorian health authorities giving the Melbourne's Royal Women's Hospital permission to prescribe the drug.
The Associate Director for the hospital's women's services, Chris Bayly, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Saturday, that the drug would only be dispensed in extraordinary cases.
"This approval will provide only for women with special clinical needs to have this drug," the Associate Director said.
The bill stripping the Federal Health Minister, Tony Abbott, from using his discretion to ban the drug was passed in 2006.