ABUSE OF MTP- PILL WITHOUT PROPER PRESCRIPTION: “AN ANALYTICAL STUDY”

Beant Singh, Rama Garg, Parneet Kaur*, Balwinder Kaur and Santosh Kumari

ABSTRACT

The MTP act of India emphasizes that abortion pills should be prescribed by only registered medical practitioners. Inspite of recommendations and clear guidelines, due to availability of these drugs over the counter self-administration of these drugs by pregnant women has become highly prevalent. Thus this study is an attempt to collect data regarding the rampant purchase of medical abortifacients over the counter without any medical supervision along with their effects on maternal health. The study was conducted in Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Government Medical College and Rajindra Hospital Patiala from January 2010 to December 2012. 131 pregnant females who reported to family planning outdoor with history of intake of mifepristone/misoprostol for purpose of abortion were enrolled. Gestational age at which drugs were taken was between 5 - 14 weeks. Per vaginal examination was done in none of the women and urine for pregnancy test was done in 76.3% of the women before intake of pill. Majority of the women 53.4% took the pill from chemist. Only 1.5% of the women took the pill on prescription of gynaecologists. Pregnancy was continued in 44.3% of the women. 38.3% had incomplete abortion. Abortion was complete only in 12.2% of the women. Only 15.26% took the drugs according to proper dosage schedule. The drugs for termination of pregnancy should be available only on prescription of qualified medical practitioner so that misuse is avoided. More focus should be on use of contraception practices for avoiding pregnancy rather than undergoing abortion.

Keywords: Medical methods of abortion, mifepristone, misoprostol.