HYDERABAD: The Telangana Drugs Control Administration (DCA) on Tuesday found discrepancies in 149 medical shops for violations related to the sale of abortion kits. Show cause notices were issued to the shops and departmental action has been initiated.
The inspections across the state are being conducted to curb the illegal sale of abortion kits, including drugs such as Mifepristone and Misoprostol. According to officials, the violations included the sale of abortion kits without valid prescriptions from registered medical practitioners, failure to maintain or produce sales and purchase bills, and dispensing of drugs without the presence of a registered pharmacist.
In several cases, these medications were sold over the counter, which is against the law. The DCA has reminded public that abortion kits must only be used under the supervision of a qualified gynaecologist after clinical examination and ultrasound as per the provisions of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act (MTP), 2002 and MTP Rules 2003.
These kits containing schedule H drugs (which require prescription) should only be sold through licensed pharmacies upon presentation of a valid doctor prescription. The DCA also issued public advisory highlighting the health risks of unsupervised use of abortion pills, including excessive uterine bleeding, complications in cases of undiagnosed ectopic pregnancies, and potentially fatal consequences.
