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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Shortage of MTP pills, thanks to tighter norms of Food and Drug Administration -Pratibha Masand

Shortage of MTP pills, thanks to tighter norms of Food and Drug Administration -Pratibha Masand

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published Published on Apr 13, 2013   modified Modified on Apr 13, 2013
-The Times of India


MUMBAI: Bhavin Dave was married for six weeks when his wife realized she was pregnant. Both rushed to a doctor, who said the best way to deal with the unplanned pregnancy was to use a medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) drug. She prescribed the pills and that was when their ordeal began.

Bhavin (name changed) scrambled from pharmacy to pharmacy with the prescription, but to no avail. He visited chemists in Malad (E), Kandivli, Goregaon and Dawabazaar in Marine Lines. "I was turned back everywhere," he said. "Most chemists claimed they did not store the medicine." When a pharmacist finally agreed to sell him the drug, he demanded five times the maximum retail price (MRP). "The medicine's MRP was Rs 499. He sold me the drug for Rs 2,500. He just said, 'Take it or leave it.' I took it," Bhavin said.

The brief, but sharp anxiety suffered by the Daves has also been experienced by others. Most pharmacies no longer store the drug, citing strict Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules and inspections regarding its sale. These were imposed as part of the government drive against female foeticide.

A south Delhi chemist said, "I don't stock these pills as I am not getting them from the pharmaceutical company. The company used to give a good scheme to chemists to sell it and many would do so without a prescription. But after numerous cases of misuse surfaced, I am not getting these pills. Earlier, consumers would ask me for it, but I would tell them to first get a prescription from their gynaecologist. I don't want to get into this mess."

These pills can be life-threatening and should be taken judiciously, warn doctors. If the abortion is incomplete even after taking the pill, the woman can have bleeding which can be fatal. Emergency surgery is then required.

Dr Anuradha Kapoor, a Delhi-based gynaecologist, said the demand for these pills has gone up in the last 5-6 years. "It's likely that many are indulging in unsafe sex and think this is the way out of a pregnancy. Many chemists prescribe this on their own. This can be dangerous."

According to doctors, MTP drugs can be used till seven weeks of gestation. "By the time a woman realizes she has missed her period and confirms pregnancy, some time has already been lost," said the gynaecologist. This generally leaves women with about two weeks to abort with the help of the medicine.

Mumbai-based Prasad Danave, general secretary of the Retail Dispensing Chemist Association, said, "Pharmacies have to make sure that the prescription is correct and given by a proper MD gynaecologist who runs an authorized MTP centre." Pharmacists also have to keep records of patients and their contact details apart from photocopies of the prescriptions. A few chemists said the FDA contacts the manufacturers of MTP drugs to identify their biggest dealers.

The FDA said pharmacies have to provide the drug on being furnished right prescriptions. "If a chemist stocks the drug, he has to sell it and on the correct MRP. We will investigate this matter," said FDA joint commissioner K B Shende.

Inputs from Shobha John in Delhi


The Times of India, 13 April, 2013, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Shortage-of-MTP-pills-thanks-to-tighter-norms-of-Food-and-Drug-Administration/articleshow/19531278.cms


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