Drugs used to induce abortions continue to be seized by Irish authorities even as abortion has been widely and legally available since 2019.

According to the Health Product Regulatory Authority (HPRA), 42 abortion tablets were confiscated between January and July of this year. In 2021, a total of 89 tablets were seized. The figure is down from 277 in 2020, and 288 in 2019.

The drugs contain misoprostol and mifepristone which are taken in two separate doses to induce a miscarriage.

Because of the risk of adverse consequences for the mother, the HSE says women more than 9 weeks pregnant must attend a hospital to take the abortion pills.

They should not be taken if a woman is more than 12 weeks pregnant.