9 February 2001
South African Women Dying From Abortion Pill In Government Institutions?

Doctors For Life (DFL) is in possession of documentation from the Free State Department of Health which states that, due to the inappropriate use of Misoprostil, complications have occurred in a number of cases. The "inappropriate use was so high" that in every case where the over-dosage of Misoprostil was given, it resulted in a "maternal death". According to the document we have "most of the deaths were related to severe haemorrhage.

Mysoprostil (Cytotec) is a drug indicated for the treatment of gastric ulcers. The company, which manufactures the drug (Searle), has, in spite of pressure from the pro-abortion lobby, consistently refused to register it as an abortifaciant. Neither has the Medicines Control Council approved it for use in performing abortions. On numerous occasions DFL warned the government and private abortionists against allowing the use of Misoprostil for abortion.

DFL would like to know whether:

• the allegations contained in the document are true?;


• these cases were reported and investigated in the correct manner?;


• inquest proceedings were conducted in the relevant cases?

Every woman in South Africa should have the right to legal protection against medical malpractice. DFL would therefore like to invite women and their family members, who have been victims of these and similar incidents, to contact us for free legal advice.

DFL also intends to take the matter up with the Health Professional’s Council of South Africa as well as the Public Protector.

On the grounds of this serious information and the dangerous implications for women's health, we as Doctors for Life urge the Department of Health be totally transparent in their response, for the sake of maintaining public confidence.

DFL is an organisation of about 800 doctors, specialists and professors of medicine from different medical faculties across South Africa.

For more information contact: Dr. A. van Eeden at tel.: (031) 764-0443 office hours.