The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #59616

Batya Elul, MSc¹, Beverly Winikoff, MD, MPH¹, Nozer Sheriar, MD², and Bela Ganatra, MD³. (1) Population Council, 1 Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, New York, NY 10017, 212-339-0644, belul@popcouncil.org, (2) Medical Termination of Pregnancy Committee, Federation of Obstetric and Gynecological Societies of India, Chowpatty Medical Centre, 3 Baig Mansion, Babulnath Road, Mumbai, 400 007, India, (3) IPAS India, D-104 Defence Colony, New Delhi, 110024, India

In April 2002, the Drugs Controller of India (DCI) approved mifepristone-misoprostol for pregnancy termination in gestations of up to 49 days LMP, making India one of the first developing countries to introduce a non-invasive abortifacient. Within weeks of DCI approval, three Indian pharmaceutical companies quickly began marketing the drugs to gynecologists nationwide. While registration and marketing of mifepristone and misoprostol represent major milestones, significant work remains to ensure safe, effective and acceptable use of this new method of abortion in India. In this presentation, we will summarize the process that led from pre-introduction in-country research on mifepristone-misoprostol to the eventual approval and marketing of these drugs for early abortion. We will also discuss the major challenges currently facing the Indian medical community as it strives to make medical abortion accessible to women, but also ensure that it is not misused in this large and diverse country. Recent data on Indian providers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices with regard to medical abortion will be presented, as will data from in-depth interviews with recent medical abortion clients in two large Indian cities. Finally, plans for future community-based research on medical abortion will be shared.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to:
• Articulate the main components of the Indian mifepristone label
• List challenges to safe and effective widespread use of mifepristone medical abortion in India
• Des

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.