In a joint report of the newspaper Zuid Deutsche and Bayerische Rundföcke in Germany, a dangerous effect of a drug that promotes natural childbirth was revealed. Despite the side effects, the study revealed that many clinics have resorted to prescribing this drug.
According to a survey conducted by the University of Lubeck, a drug called Cytotec contributed to serious complications for mothers, and in rare cases this drug caused deaths of those who took this drug, after a rupture in their uterus.
The investigative report, prepared by "Zürich Deutsche" in cooperation with Bayerische Rond Funk, showed that despite the serious side effects of the drug, about half of the clinics in Germany prescribed this drug to pregnant patients.
According to the report, one of every two clinics in Germany used this drug at one time to induce normal delivery, which led to the birth of children suffering from brain damage due to lack of oxygen during childbirth.
Also, because of this medicine, many children have died in France and Germany, according to court cases and court rulings in this matter. The study said that the doctors prescribed this drug after discovering its effect by chance on stimulating the muscles of the uterus to contract and stretch, as this contraction speeds up normal delivery.
Because of the lack of data, it is difficult to estimate the extent of the problem caused by the use of this drug, which was originally used to treat the stomach.
German medical authorities demanded the withdrawal of Cytotec medication immediately, and doctors were prohibited from using it.
It is reported that this drug sparked controversy in 2006, after medical reports revealed its misuse by doctors, before it was allowed to be reused.