Medical Abortion Drug Dispensing Behavior Among Pharmacists in India

In India, abortion is legal under Medical termination of Pregnancy Act Since 1971. As per the evidence, around 9% of total maternal deaths are caused by unsafe abortion. Though Medical Abortion (MA) drugs are prescription-only-products, in reality, it is often obtained without doctor’s prescription through pharmacists. The pharmacists often have limited knowledge of safe use of drugs that may result in complications. Population Services International’s intervention on safe medical abortion aims at educating pharmacists to improve their knowledge and dispensing practices related to MA drug regimen. Using Lot Quality Assurance Sampling method, a mystery client or simulated patient survey was conducted on MA drug Dispensing behaviour among 380 pharmacists. The study revealed that 55% of pharmacists recommended correct dose of MA drug and 45% pharmacists suggested correct route of administering MA drug, while only 25% of the pharmacists asked for doctor’s prescription for dispensing MA drug. The findings also revealed that only 42% of the pharmacists behaved correctly on all three key indicators (asked for doctors’ prescription, recommended correct dose and route for administration) pertaining to MA drug regimen. The study helped to identify the low performing areas for further attention by program managers.