A recent survey of 30 third-level colleges in the US showed that only one provided the controversial drug RU-486, referred to by its opponents as the "abortion pill", as part of campus healthcare.

The RU-486 pill (mifepristone) was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration seven months ago. It is an alternative to surgical abortion and patients must see a doctor three times in a two week period - first, to take the pill, then to take a second drug which causes contractions to expel the embryo, and a final time to check that the pregnancy has ended. However, many universities have decided against offering it as it is seen as being too onerous to administer. Yale was the only college surveyed that offered it and now some student groups have criticised the decision not to make the drug widely available.

President Bush has said his administration may review the pill's approval.