1 hr ago
Ganjam Orders Crackdown on Abortion Pills Sold Without Prescriptions
Ganjam district in Odisha is taking action against shops that sell abortion medicines without a doctor's prescription.
Officials have told drug inspectors to check medicine shops and pharmacies.
Shops found breaking the rule may be sealed.
The decision was made at a district committee meeting.
Officials said these medicines should only be sold with a valid prescription from a registered doctor.
They want to protect women’s health and prevent illegal abortions.
They also said misuse of these medicines for sex-selective abortions is punishable under the law.
Ganjam has 920 girls for every 1,000 boys, while the Odisha average is 923.
Ganjam district directed drug inspectors to take strict action against pharmacies selling abortion pills or medical termination of pregnancy kits without valid prescriptions.
Outlets found selling the medicines illegally may be sealed, Collector Keerthi Vasan V said.
The decision followed a recent district advisory committee meeting under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act.
Officials said unauthorised access could lead to illegal abortions and harm maternal health; they also cited concerns about the district’s child sex ratio.
Ganjam recorded 920 girls per 1,000 boys, compared with 923 across Odisha, officials said.
- Who
- Drug inspectors and medicine shops in Ganjam district; the directive was announced by Collector Keerthi Vasan V.
- What
- Inspectors were directed to take stringent action against the sale of abortion pills and MTP kits without valid prescriptions.
- Where
- Ganjam district, Odisha, India.
- When
- The decision was made at a recent district advisory committee meeting; the report was dated October 5.
- Why
- Officials said the measures aim to protect women’s health, curb illegal abortions and improve the child sex ratio.
Key facts
- District
- Ganjam, Odisha
- Action
- Drug inspectors were directed to take stringent action against sales without valid prescriptions.
- Potential penalty for outlets
- Outlets found selling the medicines illegally may be sealed.
- Medicines covered
- Medical termination of pregnancy kits and other abortion pills.
- Ganjam sex ratio at birth
- 920 girls per 1,000 boys.
- Odisha sex ratio at birth
- 923 girls per 1,000 boys.
- Prescription rule cited
- Abortifacients classified under Schedule H and H1 require a valid prescription from a registered medical practitioner.
Quotes
S Kameswar Rao
In-charge Chief District Medical and Public Health Officer of Ganjam.
“Strict monitoring, surprise inspections and enforcement action may be undertaken to prevent unauthorised sale and to safeguard maternal health in the district.”
theprint.in
“Abortifacients are classified under Schedule H and H1 and shall not be sold without a valid prescription from a registered medical practitioner.”
theprint.in
Sources
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