Lima, Peru, Oct 28, 2009 / 02:18 am (CNA).- The president of the Constitutional Court of Peru, Juan Vergara, has asked the Minister of Health, Oscar Ugarte, to prohibit the sale of the morning-after pill in pharmacies due to its abortifacient effects.

During a press conference, Vergara stated that the ruling by the Constitutional Court last week to halt distribution of the drug in public facilities was made because its abortifacient effect has not been disproven and the Peruvian constitution provides protection for the unborn.

Vergara noted that the Ministry of Health could issue an order prohibiting the sale of the drug, and  lamented that Ugarte used an argument “employed by the manufactures of the pill” in order to defend its distribution.

Vergara said he supports prohibiting the pill because it “promotes death.” He added that  Ugarte couldn’t be blamed for not understanding the court’s ruling because he is not a lawyer.

The president of the Council of Ministers, Javier Velasquez, said the government would follow the court’s ruling and suggested that organizations that disagree appeal to international courts.

03:07 pm | Spouse of Costa Rican presidential candidate 'pockets' Eucharist

02:15 pm | Vatican responds to widely divergent reports on Boffo resignation

12:56 pm | Venezuelan cardinal calls for new evangelization of country's capital

11:11 am | International congress to focus on priestly identity and celibacy

07:10 am | Former Saints star says Super Bowl victory revealed a ‘team with destiny’

Constitutional Court in Peru admits abortifacient effect of morning-after pill

Widespread distribution of morning-after pill fits into Spanish government’s agenda

Morning-after pill is abortifacient, say experts in Nicaragua

New law would favor morning-after pill, warns Chilean bishop