Even where abortion is legal, it is not always available -- the conditions may be too stringent, or the hospitals too few. When abortion was legalized in Zambia, no extra services were provided and because the practice became socially acceptable, the unsafe abortion rate actually increased.The main drug for inducing abortion, mifepristone, also known as RU486, is indicated for use within nine weeks of the start of a woman's menstrual period. It blocks the hormone progesterone, which is required for establishing and maintaining a pregnancy.