Bengaluru: Gynaecologists raise alarm over abortion pill abuse by youth

Bengaluru: Be it privacy, confidentiality or a judgmental society, the city's youth are eagerly flouting the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act (1971). The Act clearly mentions that only certified doctors are authorised to conduct a medical termination of pregnancy and also prescribe such pills. Medical shops across the city seem to be selling two drugs, Mifepristone and Misoprostol over the counter and that, too, without prescription.

At a cost within Rs 500 these tablets are becoming a much sought-after mode to terminate pregnancy for youngsters. "According to the MTP act only doctors who are certified to conduct medical termination of pregnancy are supposed to give a prescription for these tablets but many youngsters buy it without any prescription," informs Dr Sheela Mane, Senior Consultant Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Anugraha Nursing Home.

Medical abortion usually requires at least two visits to your doctor over several weeks. For the first visit, one medicine is taken during the visit and a second medicine is given to be taken at home. The second visit is a follow-up appointment, usually scheduled about 2 weeks after the first visit, to make sure the pregnancy has ended and no complications are present. If a medical abortion is not successful, a surgical abortion is then done to complete the process because misoprostol can cause fetal abnormalities.

Sadly, youngsters, fall a prey to such pills due to lack of medical advice. Last month, Anugraha Nursing Home had witnessed six cases of young women with incomplete abortion. "The biggest worry of such abortions is that it can lead to so many complications and we have young patients walking in with sudden bleeding and with a very low hemoglobin count and severe pain. If they bleed more it can lead to coagulation failure." warns Dr Sheela.

"There is no strict rule for the pharmacists who are dispensing such drugs in India and the city without the doctor's prescription. Sadly, we have many life-threatening cases due to the intake of such pills," says Dr Malini, Professor and HOD at BMCRI who adds that the most near fatal consequence is 'Septicemia' which is a life-threatening infection that can worsen very quickly and is often fatal.

"Policy makers should do something about it and measures should be taken to regulate or inhibit the pharmacists on the sale of OTC drugs. And women should be made aware of the implications of taking drugs without a doctor's prescription," adds Dr Malini who says that Vani Vilas Hospital has witnessed almost 80 such cases over a period of two years.