Govt agency warns about abortion drug
Stabroek News
February 18, 2004
The Government Analyst Food and Drug Department is warning that preparations with mifepristone, which is used to induce abortions, are not registered for use on the local market and its misuse may result in complications requiring hospitalisation.
Used for ending early pregnancy, the drug could cause severe bleeding in some women and should be treated as a dangerous drug, according to a release from the Food and Drug Department.
The Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry of Health and the Medical Council of Guyana have agreed on a number of conditions that should govern the use of this drug in light of the potential for its abuse and misuse.
The drug should be treated as a dangerous drug; and it should not be available to pharmacies but must only be sold to fully registered medical practitioners or authorised institutions in accordance with the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, the release said.
Moreover, physicians and institutions that procure this drug must keep a scrupulous record of all patients on whom the drug is used and the quantities utilised.
And under no circumstances is the drug to be sold to a third party; the release stated, while physicians and institutions seeking to procure the drug should do so by way of a written declaration as in the case of other dangerous drugs.
It also urges that any deviation from these directives be reported to the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department via telephones: 226-8795; 226-3711; 226-8337; 225-6482; or fax: 225-4249.