41 Pharmacies in Delhi Caught Illegally Selling Abortion Pills Mifepristone, Misoprostol

According to a recent media report in the Hindustan Times, the department carried out a three-day operation from September 5 to 7, covering 157 chemist shops in areas including Badarpur, Jasola, Kalkaji, Laxmi Nagar, Rohini, Pitampura, Shalimar Bagh, Uttam Nagar, Budh Vihar, Rithala, Madipur, Hari Nagar and Nangloi. Officials found 41 outlets dispensing abortion kits without the legally required prescription from a registered medical practitioner. Officials used both male and female officers posing as customers to identify pharmacies violating the rules. Male team members claimed to be buying the kits for partners, while female members directly requested the products. “As soon as the chemist sold the kit, the team moved in and took action,” an official involved in the operation said. The action has been initiated under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, along with the provisions of the Drugs Rules, 1945, for violating conditions of sale. MTP kits, which contain Mifepristone and Misoprostol, are legally allowed to be sold only when prescribed by a Registered Medical Practitioner and dispensed at approved medical facilities, as specified under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971. The Hindustan Times reports that the department has also issued a public advisory warning citizens against purchasing or using MTP kits without medical supervision. The advisory stated that unsafe use of abortion pills can result in serious health complications and urged people to seek proper medical consultation before terminating a pregnancy.