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The Indian city of Chennai is seeing an increase in unplanned pregnancies and abortions since a ban on over-the-counter sales of emergency contraception was implemented by the state director of drug control one year ago, theTimes of India reports. Jayashree Gajaraj -- president of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Society of South India -- said that a lack of access to EC "forces women either to continue with the pregnancy or have an abortion." According to the Times, other physicians have confirmed Gajaraj's finding that there has been a rise in unplanned pregnancies and abortions. At least 10% of pregnancies in the city are unplanned, according to Gajaraj.

Nonprescription sales of EC were available starting in 2005, but over-the-counter access to the drug was subsequently banned in the state of Tamil Nadu under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. According to the director of drugs control, K. Sundrasamy, the state banned nonprescription EC because the strength of the drug is higher than what it permitted for over-the-counter sales. He added that the pressure from police, women's commissions and non-governmental organizations also were factors. Sundrasamy said, "Their contention is that it promotes free sex. We also thought this could be hazardous. The pill could be available in other places, but we have banned it because we are very strict." However, physician Priya Selvaraj said that EC is "a safe option even without prescription" (Narayan, Times of India, 11/12).

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