Istar
Istar is a limited liability company (LTD) and a charitable trust with tax-exempt status that imports the abortion drug, RU486 into New Zealand.
About
In the 2009 financial year Istar received income of $198,663 from selling the abortion drug, RU486.[1]
Istar's office is located at 8 Brathwaite Street, Karori, Wellington.
Istar's Protocol for RU486
The Istar protocol for early medical abortion up to 9 weeks is an early diagnosis by a GP with swabs, smear, blood tests and ultrasound. Counselling and certification are as required by the CS&A Act. There would be three mandatory visits. On day 1 with administration of Mifegyn, approx 3% will abort before the next treatment. On day 3 there is administration of prostaglandin (misoprostol or gemeprost). Observation takes place for 4-6 hrs, during which 60-80% of women will abort. Others will abort at home. The third follow-up visit will verify that expulsion is complete. In the unpleasant event of an incomplete abortion an ultrasound is arranged, and if a foetal heart is detected , the woman progresses to surgery. If there is a sac but no foetal heart the options of waiting or progressing to surgery are discussed.[2]
Personnel
As at 19 December 2007, the following were officers of the company:[3]
- Simon Snook
- Carol Shand, co-director (elected on 22 Feb. 1999)[4]
- Margaret Sparrow
- Diana Edwards, co-director (elected on 22 Feb. 1999)[5]
- John Tait
- Peter Stone
References
- ↑ Charities Commission website: Annual Return Summary 2009: Istar (accessed on 12 July 2010)
- ↑ Women's Health Action Trust website: RU486 - the medical abortion, Dec. 2000 (accessed on 1 May, 2010)
- ↑ Charities Commission website: Charity Profile: Istar (accessed on 8 May 2010)
- ↑ Charities Commission website: Officer Details: Carol Shand, 16 June 2007 (accessed on 9 May, 2010)
- ↑ Charities Commission website: Officer Details: Diana Edwards, 19 June 2007 (accessed on 8 May, 2010)
