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Diana Lara, MD, ScM1, Katrina Abuabara2, Daniel Grossman, MD, FACOG1, and Claudia Diaz-Olavarrieta3. (1) Reproductive Health Program, Population Council, Panzacola 62-102, Col. Villa Coyoacán, Mexico, Mexico, 52-55-59998630, dlara@popcouncil.org.mx, (2) Regional office for Latin America and the Caribbean, Population Council Mexico, Escondida 110, Col. Villa Coyoacan, Delegacion Coyoacan, Mexico, DF, 04000, Mexico, (3) National Institute of Neurology, Mexico, Insurgentes Sur 3877, La Fama, Mexico City, 14267, Mexico
Background: Access to legal abortion services are virtually unavailable in Mexico. Previous research has documented that women seek abortifacients at pharmacies in Latin America, in particular the widely available prostaglandin misoprostol.
Objectives: To learn more about abortion seekers and abortifacient prescription, specifically for misoprostol (sold under the brand name Cytotec) at pharmacies in Mexico City.
Methods: Employees at a representative random sample of 103 Mexico City pharmacies were interviewed using a standardized questionnaire. Mystery clients were later sent to the same pharmacies to better ascertain actual prescribing practices and counseling.
Findings: A total of 97 pharmacies participated, a response rate of 94.2%. Among interviewees, 60.8% receive abortifacient requests, on average 1.7 requests per week. Abortifacient-seekers had a mean estimated age of 22.2 years and were most frequently women. Nearly three-quarters of the sample (74.3%) had heard of misoprostol, though only 22.9% of the sample identified it as an abortifacient. Over half (59.8%) of the pharmacies surveyed sell Cytotec, and 46.6% claimed to require a prescription. Knowledge about dosage and side effects was low; ongoing fieldwork with mystery clients will help to elucidate more about actual prescribing practices and information provision.
Conclusions: Abortifacient provision is common in Mexico City pharmacies although knowledge about the medications appears to be relatively low among pharmacy workers. Education efforts may improve outcomes.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to: 1. Describe the prevalence of abortifacient requests at pharmacies in Mexico City. 2. Evaluate abortifacient knowledge and prescribing practices.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to
Keywords: Abortion, Pharmacies
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.