Unauthorized drugs for abortion and emergency contraception sold illegally on “Dr. Pooja” websites

Health Canada is warning consumers not to buy unauthorized heath products to terminate or prevent pregnancy as they may pose serious health risks. Health Canada is aware (link available in French only) of two “Dr. Pooja” websites ( https://www.drpoojaclinic.ca/ and http://drpoojacliniccynaecologist.com/ ) selling unauthorized prescription drugs for medical abortion labelled to contain mifepristone and misoprostol, and unauthorized over-the-counter drugs for emergency contraception labelled to contain levonorgestrel. Selling unauthorized health products in Canada is illegal, and Health Canada will do everything it can to stop this activity. Unauthorized health products have not been approved by Health Canada, which means that they have not been assessed for safety, efficacy and quality and may pose a range of serious health risks. For example, they may be ineffective, expired, mislabeled, subject to recalls, or counterfeit versions of authorized products. Unauthorized drugs may have no active ingredients, the wrong ingredients, or dangerous additives such as prescription drugs not listed on the label. Health Canada has directed the websites to stop selling unauthorized health products and is working to have the websites removed. Health Canada will take further action as necessary to protect the health and safety of people in Canada.

Product safety - Unauthorized product

Do not buy or use any unauthorized health products from “Dr. Pooja” websites . If you have taken unauthorized products labelled to contain mifepristone and misoprostol from these websites, seek immediate medical attention to receive a proper health assessment and medical care. If you have taken unauthorized products labelled to contain levonorgestrel, speak to your health care professional to receive a proper health assessment and medical care. Return unauthorized drugs to your local pharmacy for proper disposal . Only buy prescription drugs from licensed pharmacies. Avoid buying health products from questionable or untrustworthy websites. Be aware of the risks of buying heath products online . Read product labels to verify that health products have been authorized for sale by Health Canada. Authorized health products have an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), Natural Product Number (NPN) or Homeopathic Drug Number (DIN-HM). You can also check whether products have been authorized for sale by searching Health Canada’s Drug Product Database and Licensed Natural Health Product Database . Report any health product-related side effects or complaints to Health Canada.

Unauthorized products labelled to contain mifepristone and misoprostol (commonly known as the “abortion pill”), and unauthorized emergency contraceptive labelled to contain levonorgestrel (commonly known as the “morning after pill”)

RA-73674