Strict rules on the sale of contraceptive pills should be introduced after the deaths of six women overseas, a gynaecologist said yesterday.
Professor Edward Loong Ping-leung, of the Chinese University's obstetrics and gynaecology department, said over-the-counter sales could put women at risk of blood clots, heart attacks and strokes.
He said all contraceptive pills - not just the four blamed for fatal blood clots in six New Zealand women - should be available on prescription only.
'If the patient requires a medical opinion first, it's always safer,' Professor Loong said. 'That's the ideal situation.' While the risk of blood clots seemed to be lower in Asians than in Caucasian women, it could lead to other serious complications if taken without medical supervision.
Patients who had high blood pressure - a condition sufferers may not be aware they had - were at risk of suffering a stroke if they took any type of contraceptive pill, Professor Loong said.
And those who had suffered a heart attack or had hormone-sensitive tumours should not take the Pill. Professor Loong said information supplied with contraceptives might list such potential dangers and advise users to see a doctor. 'But some people . . . don't read all the details on the leaflet and that can be a risk.' His comments followed news linking the New Zealand deaths with contraceptive pills sold under the brand names Mercilon, Marvelon, Femodene and Minulet, all of which are sold over the counter locally, with Femodene sold as Gynera.