Tirath to approach Health Ministry on sale of abortion pills

Concerned over the unchecked sale of abortion pills, Women and Child Development minister Krishna Tirath is planning to write to Health ministry seeking measures to regulate the sale of such medicines.
Official sources said that Tirath, who is on a visit abroad, would soon be sending Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad a letter apprising him of her views on the matter.
"There had been certain complaints related to the free availability of these pills and their unchecked misuse. The minister has taken serious note of the problem and is expected that the matter will be raised with the Health ministry," a well placed official said.

Officials said that though abortion pills were included in the category of Schedule H drugs, which means that they cannot be sold without medical prescription, but still it was felt that the norms were not always followed and the pills are often abused.
"The WCD ministry has also reason to be concerned that the pills are being used by young women and such usage may be detrimental to their health," the official said.
Officials said that there was concern that the pills were being used for abortions and there are sections which want this practice to be checked.