Health Canada’s approval of the RU-486 abortion pill does not ensure access to the medication in all parts of the country.

It was announced on Wednesday that the pill has been approved in Canada after several delays.

But medical authorities are not able to predict how many Canadian doctors will embrace the option, or how easily patients will be able to find the ones who do, especially in places such as Prince Edward Island where access to abortion has traditionally been difficult.

National ethics rules allow physicians to refuse to perform abortions or to refer patients to them.  Access to the RU 486 pill in Canada will require a doctor’s prescription.  It could be available as early as next winter, sold under the brand name Mifegymiso.