Harvard students can now receive the abortion drug RU-486 through a referral from University Health Services (UHS). But UHS Director Dr. David S. Rosenthal '59 said yesterday that UHS has no plans now or in the future to dispense RU-486 in Holyoke Center.

As of Jan. 1, students could obtain the treatment at Planned Parenthood in Brighton and UHS can also send students to Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston for the procedure.

RU-486, also know as mifepristone, is taken within the first seven weeks of pregnancy in conjunction with misopristol tablets in order to induce a miscarriage.

In approximately 5 percent of cases, a follow-up surgical procedure is necessary to complete the abortion.

The RU-486 treatment costs around $450 dollars while surgical abortions are usually $350. Deborah Cohen, coordinator of pregnancy and peer counseling at UHS, said students seeking a medical abortion via RU-486 will receive $275 dollars from UHS towards the procedure, the same amount that is currently given for surgical abortions.

Since the level of UHS funding for abortions remains the same, despite the new RU-486 option, students electing to get a refund on the portion of their Student Health Services fee that helps fund abortions will still only receive a $1 reimbursement.

Shauna L. Shames '01, who has been involved with Harvard Students for Choice and the Coalition Against Sexual Violence, said she thought RU-486 should be given directly through UHS and students should only have to visit another facility if they require a follow-up surgical procedure.

"It doesn't make sense to have to go all the way into Boston just to get a pill," she said. "It would make sense for UHS to offer [RU-486] just like the 'morning after' pill."