Key Points
New Delhi: An expert panel constituted by Indias apex drug controller is deliberating making a doctors prescription mandatory to access hormonal contraceptive pills, including emergency contraceptive pills (ECP), popularly known as morning-after pills, given concerns over their harmful side effects, government sources have told ThePrint..
The proposal has been under examination by a three-member committee, set up by the Central Drugs and Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) in September last year, and is now being legally vetted before it is submitted to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for approval, sources said...
The expert panel, which has a senior gynaecologist, a reproductive health scientist from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and a senior official from Tamil Nadu drug administration has suggested that these drugs be brought number Schedule H, in which case pharmacists will need doctors prescription before dispensing them, a senior CDSCO official told ThePrint...
Sridhar said that, over the last few years, there have been several cases of young girls reporting serious side effects, such as heavy menstrual bleeding, following the use of emergency contraceptive pills.. Due to this reason, the state drug authority has been of the view that a doctor should be consulted before using these hormonal pills, he told ThePrint..
The Guidelines for Administration of Emergency Contraceptive Pills by Health Care Providers issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 2008 said that these pills can be provided safely and effectively by any well-informed health care providers such as doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, paramedics, family welfare assistants, health assistants and community-based health workers...
You might be interested in
Nitish Kumar's remarks sparked outrage but the issues he raised are vital
23, Nov, 23Bihar’s chief minister spoke of ‘withdrawal’ for contraception, suggesting that awareness among women as education levels rise could help achieve a stable population. India may have attained a replacement rate of fertility but Bihar lags and reproductive health needs attention.