Guidelines for use of abortion pill

In view of complications being reported owing to improper use of an early abortion pill, from various parts of the country, the Government has decided to formulate guidelines on its use. This pill consists of a combination of an anti-progesterone mifepristone which detaches the embryo from the uterus and misoprostol which expels the foetus. RU-486 (mifepristone), an anti-progesterone drug, has been approved for use in India for termination of early pregnancy. However, despite regulation to sell the drug on prescription only, there are reports of its free availability over the counter. This can lead to serious consequences and thus, gynaecologists from across the country gathered in Delhi to set tougher guidelines for the use of this pill, which is India's first medical method to terminate early pregnancies. In India, 99% abortions are carried out surgically. Under the law a foetus ideally should be aborted between 7-8 weeks. But a doctor can abort a foetus upto 12 weeks as well. To abort foetuses upto 20 weeks the opinion of 2 doctors is a must. The pill works very well upto an 8 week pregnancy. If used in later weeks it can be dangerous. Women also might start using it at home without medical supervision. Five percent of the women need monitoring as they can get complications bleeding, so it has to be done by qualified doctors. Doctors say this pill is safer and leads to far fewer complications in most women. However thousands of illegal abortions are still carried out after the foetus is over 20 weeks which can be fatal for the mother. Unwanted pregnancy is a major public health problem with potentially serious consequences for women's health. Despite availability of several contraceptive methods, the need for abortion continues. Caution is needed for using RU-486 as it could lead to life-threatening haemorrhage. The drug should be used only in hospitals and nursing homes which have the back-up support for blood transfusion. All the clinics might not be having the required facilities to meet an emergency. With illegal abortions in India being one of the highest contributors to maternal mortality rates the usage of this pill will have to be strictly monitored.