Of the establishments inspected, 234 medical shops were found flouting critical safety protocols in their sale of Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) kits containing potent drugs such as Mifepristone and Misoprostol.
Published Sep 17, 2025 | 12:05 AM ⚊ Updated Sep 17, 2025 | 12:05 AM
Representative image only.
Synopsis: Telangana has suspended the licences of 165 medical shops and permanently cancelled seven others for illegally selling abortion kits, following a 25-day enforcement drive by the Drugs Control Administration. Inspections of 809 establishments found 234 shops in breach of critical safety protocols, including sales without prescriptions. Officials warned that such practices endanger women’s health and emphasised that abortion medications must be used only under medical supervision.
The licences of 165 medical shops in Telangana caught illegally selling abortion kits by the Drugs Control Administration (DCA) have been suspended, while seven more have been permanently cancelled.
The action followed a 25-day enforcement drive between August 22 and September 15 across the state. Officials conducted 809 inspections, targeting both licensed medical shops and unauthorised practitioners selling dangerous abortifacient drugs without proper oversight.
Of the establishments inspected, 234 medical shops were found flouting critical safety protocols in their sale of Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) kits containing potent drugs such as Mifepristone and Misoprostol.
“During the inspections, special emphasis was laid on checking the indiscriminate sale of Abortion Kits/MTP Kits including Mifepristone Tablets, Misoprostol Tablets, classified under Schedule H of the Drugs Rules,” said Shahnawaz Qasim, Director General of DCA.
Inspectors found a range of violations—sales without prescriptions, no bills issued, missing records, dispensing without registered pharmacists, and pharmacies unable to produce purchase documents. Officials said these practices not only break the law but also endanger women’s health.
The health risks of these violations are serious. Abortion medications contain potent compounds that can cause life-threatening complications if used without proper medical supervision. The drugs are especially dangerous in cases of ectopic pregnancy, where the fertilised egg implants outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube.
“In cases of ectopic pregnancy, these medications are completely ineffective. If consumed without proper diagnosis, they can result in tubal rupture, severe internal bleeding, hypovolemic shock, and even death,” warned Director General Qasim.
The enforcement action is more than a crackdown on rule-breaking—it is a public health intervention. Misoprostol, a key component in these kits, can trigger excessive uterine bleeding requiring immediate emergency care if administered without professional oversight.
Current law requires that these medications be used only under the supervision of registered medical practitioners after a thorough clinical evaluation and ultrasound examination. The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act of 2002 also stipulates that such procedures must be carried out only by qualified gynecologists in approved medical facilities.
The operation went beyond pharmacies to include unauthorised practitioners, commonly known as “quacks,” who operate alongside legitimate healthcare providers. The dual approach is meant to eliminate illegal pharmaceutical distribution networks entirely.
Alongside the swift suspensions and cancellation of licences, show cause notices have been issued to all violating firms, with authorities promising continued legal action under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940.
“The illegal sale of Abortion Kits constitutes a serious offence punishable under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. The Drugs Control Administration will initiate strict legal action against pharmacies found violating regulatory provisions,” the department said.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
