AUSTRALIA, January 6, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Pro life Pharmacists in Australia are refusing to dispense the new “Morning-After Pill (MAP),” Postinor-2. In addition, other pharmacists who, although not necessarily members of pro-life groups, are refusing to sell the drug, citing safety and legal concerns. The MAP became available over the counter in Australia effective January 1, following approval of its sale by a drugs scheduling committee late last year. Contrary to manufacturers claims that the drug is contraceptive in effect, Canadian Physicians For Life president Dr. Rob Pankratz states that, in approximately 75 percent of cases, the MAP is abortifacient, in that it makes implantation of a newly formed foetus impossible. In the other 25 percent of cases, if the pill is taken before ovulation, ovulation may be inhibited. Dr. Pankratz goes on to say “use of the [MAP] involves a direct attack on an already formed unique human life.” Dr. Pankratz also documents a troubling 10-fold increase in dangerous ectopic pregnancies caused by use of the MAP. The Physicians For Life website (http://www.physiciansforlife.ca) warns that increased access to MAP’s will increase its use. “The 1998-99 annual report of Planned Parenthood Federation of America showed an 83.5% increase in ‘emergency contraception clients,’” the report says.
The same Physicians For Life report also states “Manufacturers stress that the [MAP] is not intended for repetitive use but offer no realistic plan to prevent this. In Asia, repetitive [MAP] use (and health consequences) have become commonplace, and health authorities there have become concerned.” Read the CNS news report at: http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewForeignBureaus.asp?Page=\ForeignBureaus\archive\200401\FOR20040106b.html