Abortion is illegal in T&T under the Offences Against The Person Act. The law states that a pregnant woman who "with intent to procure her own miscarriage, unlawfully administers to herself any poison or other noxious thing or unlawfully uses any instrument or other means whatsoever with the like intent is liable to four years in prison."
However, there are reports that some local pharmacies are dispensing a drug that can help women abort their babies. Misopostol, also known as Cytotec, is prescribed for stomach ulcers but also has an off-label abortion use.
Guardian Media investigations led to a pharmacy in St. James where the drug was sold to an anonymous source for $240. The woman said she had no difficulty purchasing the drug without a prescription. She simply went into the pharmacy, called a worker to the side and asked for the drug.
The source said the woman, who did not appear to be a pharmacist, told her how to use the drug, assuming it was for an abortion and warned her about the dangers.
Andrew Rahaman, president of the Pharmacy Board of T&T, admitted that he is aware some pharmacies are dispensing Misoprostol (Cytotec) without a prescription but said such occurrences are rare. He said the drug is too dangerous to be used without the input of a doctor.
Rahaman believes pharmacies dispense the drug because it is not accounted for by the Chemistry, Food and Drug Division creating a loophole for pharmacies to make extra money. He said pharmacies caught dispensing Misoprostol (Cytotec) can be written up for professional misconduct and negligence in accordance with the Pharmacy Board Act.
The Act says an employee of a pharmacy who dispenses drugs without a prescription is liable to a fine of $5000, or up to one year in prision for their first offence. The fine doubles from the second offence.
Contacted for comment, medical practititioner Dr. Varma Deyalsingh warned that dispensing the drug is dangerous since Misoprostol (Cytotec) can cause an incomplete abortion which can lead to an infection or even death.
He said he is concerned about young girls obtaining the drug as a way to hide a pregnancy since they might take the drug incorrectly and in fear of anyone finding out stay silent and bleed to death.
Health Terrence Deyalsingh said the issue is out of his jurisdiction and directed Guardian Media to Rahaman who said he is taking stricter measures to prevent such irregularities in the industry.