Analyst Dept. deems abortion drug 'dangerous'
Guyana Chronicle
February 18, 2004
THE Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GAFDD) is informing healthcare providers and the general public that preparations containing mifepristone are not registered for use on the local market.
"This drug is used for ending early pregnancy, that is, for abortions. Its most important side-effect is severe bleeding which may be experienced by some women (and) misuse of mifepristone that may result in complications that may require hospitalization," an advisory from the GAFDD stated.
The advisory said that due to the potential for abuse and misuse discussions were held with the Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry of Health and the Guyana Medical Council and the following has been agreed upon:
** that the drug be treated as a Dangerous Drug
** that the drug should not be available to pharmacies, but should only be sold to fully registered medical practitioners or authorized institutions according to the Medical termination of Pregnancy Act
** that physicians and institutions that procure this drug keep a scrupulous record of all patients on whom the drug is used and quantities thereof
** that under no circumstances is the drug to be sold to a third party
** that physicians and institutions seeking to procure the drug do so by way of written declaration as is in the case of other Dangerous Drugs.
The Department said it is counting on the cooperation of all pharmacists, medical practitioners, importers, distributors, and the public in general to adhere to the above in order to protect the health of local women.