Scottish women will still be allowed to take abortion drugs at home after a legal challenge against the move was thrown out.

Last year, Scotland became the first part of the UK to let women take the abortion drug misoprostol at home. The decision was made by Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer – not by legislation — who wrote to all health boards to say the abortion drug could be taken by women outside of a clinical setting.

The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) challenged the decision at the Court of Session. They argued that such a move contravenes the 1967 Abortion Act. It said abortions could only legally be carried out in a medical facility, and argued that allowing women to take the tablet at home could put their health at risk.

However, Lady Wise rejected this, saying that patients who self-administer medication at home, “may still be described as being treated by their medical practitioner, who remains in charge of that treatment.”

Drawing an example to diabetics injecting themselves with insulin, she added: “Regardless of place, there is no need for a doctor to hand the medication to the woman personally.”

SPUC said it was “extremely disappointed” with the decision and that it would appeal against the ruling.