THh Union government has issued a notification banning the use of quinacrine for female sterilisation/contraception. The notification bans quinacrine in pellet form for use as a contraceptive, Anyone violating the provision of the Act would be punishable with imprisonment for a term, which may extend to three years or a fine up to Rs 5,000 or both, say health ministry officials.

The government had submitted to the Supreme Court m March 1998 that it intended to ban use of quinacrine for contraceptive purposes. A petition was filed by the All-India Democratic Women Association. Quinacrine is an old anti-malarial drug otherwise called mepacrine. Though its use as an anti-malarial has become obsolete, sometimes it is used for giardiasis and tape worm infestation.