Prescriptions for RU-486

* Jason McNeill misses two salient points in his Sept. 26 letter. First, he states, “RU-486 can be prescribed by any doctor.” I have practiced internal medicine for 10 years, but am totally unqualified to administer RU-486. My training qualifies me to diagnose and treat a patient with a heart attack, for example, but I lack the expertise to recognize or treat potential complications of RU-486 administration. I do not know of any orthopedists, dermatologists, ophthal- mologists, neurosurgeons, or specialists in many other fields who would be qualified to use RU-486. Malpractice companies will not cover adverse outcomes for procedures for which the individual physician is not qualified, and physicians who prescribe drugs in areas outside their field are subject to license revocation.

Second, McNeill objects to the prospect that “no one will know when a woman is using it.” Precisely. All medical records of patients (presidential candidates excepted) are confidential, and by law remain private. The reason for any visit to any medical office, at all times, is a matter best left to the patient and the physician, not to government or religious groups.

JAMES SPERBER MD

San Clemente

* How interesting that McNeill decries the upcoming FDA approval or RU-486. If men could become pregnant, the widespread availability of RU-486 would be sacred.

CAROL BENSON HOLST

Glendale

* Regarding RU-486: Is this the same FDA that is trying to keep our young alive by making nicotine less accessible? Nah. Must be another agency with the same initials.

TOM SWIMM

Monarch Beach