§ Mr. Staintonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to prohibit the distribution and sale of the self-administered hormone abortifacient described as prostaglandin esther, having regard to section 1(3) and to the generality of the Abortion Act 1967.
§ Mr. Roland MoyleNo licence has been issued under the Medicines Act for any self-administered hormone abortifacient described as prostaglandin esther, and no such product can therefore legally be offered for distribution and sale. All licensed products containing prostaglandin—which has other obstetric and gynaecological uses apart from therapeutic abortion—are "prescription only" products. As a condition of the licences they are supplied only to hospitals and specialised clinics and are, I am advised, used only under medical supervision. In these circumstances the question of prohibiting supply does not arise.