Doctor ‘disturbed’ by abortion kit use

CHRISTCHURCH: A doctor who performs abortions in Christchurch says she is ‘‘disturbed’’ people are illegally importing abortion medicine.

Last year, 39 ‘‘kits’’ containing abortion medicines mifepristone and/or misoprostol were seized at the border, according to regulator Medsafe.

The pills induce miscarriage and are used for early medical abortions for women up to 10 weeks pregnant.

Certifying consultant and abortion provider Dr Pippa Mackay said she was concerned to hear about people importing abortion pills they had bought online, when abortions were safe and accessible in New Zealand.

She said people importing the medicines were putting themselves at risk of legal trouble, as well as putting their health at risk.

It is a requirement to have an ultrasound before a termination, and people who had not done so could be risking their lives if they took abortion pills, Dr Mackay said.