Louisiana Legislature approves bill classifying abortion pills as controlled dangerous substances

Louisiana lawmakers have approved a first-of-its-kind bill that would classify two abortion-inducing drugs as a controlled and dangerous substances.

louisiana legislature approves bill classifying abortion pills as controlled dangerous substances
louisiana legislature approves bill classifying abortion pills as controlled dangerous substances
Credit: AP/Allen G. Breed, FILE - Boxes of the drug mifepristone sit on a shelf at the West Alabama Women's Center in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on March 16, 2022.

BATON ROUGE, La. — Two abortion-inducing drugs could soon be reclassified as controlled and dangerous substances in Louisiana under a first-of-its-kind bill that received final legislative passage Thursday and is expected to be signed into law by the governor.

Supporters of the reclassification of mifepristone and misoprostol, commonly known as “abortion pills,” say it would protect expectant mothers from coerced abortions. Numerous doctors, meanwhile, have said it will make it harder for them to prescribe the medicines that they use for other important reproductive health care needs, and could delay treatment.

Louisiana currently has a near-total abortion ban in place, applying both to surgical and medical abortions. The GOP-dominated Legislature’s push to reclassify mifepristone and misoprostol could possibly open the door for other Republican states with abortion bans that are seeking tighter restrictions on the drugs.

Current Louisiana law already requires a prescription for both drugs and makes it a crime to use them to induce an abortion in most cases. The bill would make it harder to obtain the pills by placing it on the list of Schedule IV drugs under the state’s Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law.

The classification would require doctors to have a specific license to prescribe the drugs, which would be stored in certain facilities that in some cases could end up being located far from rural clinics. Knowingly possessing the drugs without a valid prescription would carry a punishment including hefty fines and jail time.

Supporters say people would be prevented from unlawfully using the pills, though language in the bill appears to carve out protections for pregnant woman who obtain the drug without a prescription for their own consumption.

More than 200 doctors in the state signed a letter to lawmakers warning that it could produce a “barrier to physicians’ ease of prescribing appropriate treatment” and cause unnecessary fear and confusion among both patients and doctors. The physicians warn that any delay to obtaining the drugs could lead to worsening outcomes in a state that has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country.

In addition to inducing abortions, mifepristone and misoprostol have other common uses, such as treating miscarriages, inducing labor and stopping hemorrhaging.

Mifepristone was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2000 after federal regulators deemed it safe and effective for ending early pregnancies. It’s used in combination with misoprostol, which the FDA has separately approved to treat stomach ulcers.

The drugs are not classified as controlled substances by the federal government because regulators do not view them as carrying a significant risk of misuse. The federal Controlled Substances Act restricts the use and distribution of prescription medications such as opioids, amphetamines, sleeping aids and other drugs that carry the risk of addiction and overdose.

Abortion opponents and conservative Republicans both inside and outside the state have applauded the Louisiana bill. Conversely, the move has been strongly criticized by Democrats, including Vice President Kamala Harris, who in a social media post described it as “absolutely unconscionable.”

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in March on behalf of doctors who oppose abortion and want to restrict access to mifepristone. The justices did not appear ready to limit access to the drug, however.

The Louisiana legislation now heads to the desk of conservative Republican Gov. Jeff Landry. The governor, who was backed by former President Donald Trump during last year’s gubernatorial election, has indicated his support for the measure, remarking in a recent post on X, “You know you’re doing something right when @KamalaHarris criticizes you.”

Landry’s office did not respond to an emailed request for comment.

A recent survey found that thousands of women in states with abortion bans or restrictions are receiving abortion pills in the mail from states that have laws protecting prescribers. The survey did not specify how many of those cases were in Louisiana.

Louisiana has a near-total abortion ban in place, which applies both to medical and surgical abortions. The only exceptions to the ban are if there is substantial risk of death or impairment to the mother if she continues the pregnancy or in the case of “medically futile” pregnancies, when the fetus has a fatal abnormality.

Currently, 14 states are enforcing bans on abortion at all stages of pregnancy, with limited exceptions.

[video_shortcode_youtube src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4r6jKiRImW8?rel=0" itemprop="image" content="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4r6jKiRImW8?rel=0" data-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4r6jKiRImW8?rel=0"]

OTHER NEWS

22 minutes ago

How much does it really cost to retire to Spain? Everything you need to know before taking the leap (and it's less money than you might think!)

22 minutes ago

How much does it really cost to retire to Spain? Everything you need to know before taking the leap (and it's less money than you might think!)

22 minutes ago

BYD Seal electric vehicle owner's embarrassing mistake on Perth's City Beach

26 minutes ago

Kaizer Chiefs: Nasreddine Nabi receives another offer!

26 minutes ago

Brighton announce Fabian Hürzeler appointment

26 minutes ago

Ten-year US-Ukraine security deal is a 'landmark event', FM Kuleba says

26 minutes ago

Ways Charlotte stepped up for beloved mum as Kate Middleton made triumphant return

26 minutes ago

Majorcans take over tiny cove amid island's anti-tourism backlash

26 minutes ago

T20 World Cup: How does the Super 8 stage work

26 minutes ago

Bulls set to lose another Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok for URC Grand Final against Glasgow Warriors

29 minutes ago

Former Everton star Frank D'Arcy dies aged 77, as Toffees pay tribute to their title-winning defender

32 minutes ago

Ron Washington won't let losses deter belief in Angels: 'Ain't no damn failure'

33 minutes ago

General election 2024 live: Tories could win just 72 seats in next Parliament, new Survation poll says

33 minutes ago

Slovenia v Denmark LIVE: Euro 2024 team news, line-ups and more today

33 minutes ago

Gino D'Acampo 'rakes in £6m in two years' after he 'failed to pay £5m to staff and taxman' when his My Pasta Bar chain went under

33 minutes ago

'Britain's FBI' investigating PPE scandal linked to 'Baroness Bra' Michelle Mone interview at least five suspects under caution - as case reaches China

33 minutes ago

The Entire Young Sheldon Timeline Explained

36 minutes ago

John Sterling’s kids reveal what it’s like to have the legendary Yankees announcer as a dad: ‘Unlike any other human’

37 minutes ago

Londis shop orders staff to pour famous cider down drain over 'stolen' name

37 minutes ago

Hamas response to Gaza ceasefire proposal 'consistent' with principles of US plan, leader says

37 minutes ago

Top model Josh: ‘Celebs love me because I’m a Kiwi’

38 minutes ago

Greene homers twice and has a career-best 6 RBIs as Tigers rout Astros 13-5

38 minutes ago

Boozy England fans drink in the Euro 2024 atmosphere ahead of first game vs Serbia

41 minutes ago

Playwright James Graham: ‘We’re still living in Thatcher’s country’

41 minutes ago

Kate Middleton - latest: Prince William shares sweet message day after Princess returns to public duties

42 minutes ago

Poland vs Netherlands LIVE: Euro 2024 team news and line-ups ahead of Group D clash as Robert Lewandowski out

42 minutes ago

China is getting too much rain in the south and not enough rain, plus a heat wave, in the north

44 minutes ago

As the Raspberry Pi share price soars, is it set to be a great UK growth success?

44 minutes ago

World leaders condemn Putin's 'dictatorial' Ukraine ceasefire proposal

44 minutes ago

Richie Sambora on Bon Jovi docuseries: 'That's one person's perspective'

44 minutes ago

With a forward P/E of 3.28x, could this FTSE 250 stock make me rich?

44 minutes ago

NASCAR radio station: Channel, live streams to listen to 2024 Iowa race broadcast

44 minutes ago

Matt Shirvington reveals what he REALLY thinks of 'fast-paced' Sunrise

44 minutes ago

LISTEN to It's All Kicking Off! Why it's criminal to leave Trent Alexander-Arnold out of the England team

44 minutes ago

Axed Match of the Day pundit Mark Lawrenson claims BBC bosses threatened to drop him from the World Cup final over a 'handbag' joke

44 minutes ago

Alisha Lehmann and Douglas Luiz 'set for historic double transfer to Juventus' this summer... as Italian club continues negotiations for the Aston Villa power couple

44 minutes ago

Married At First Sight's Jules Robinson throws wild baby shower complete with nappy-sniffing challenge and VERY racy games

44 minutes ago

Video: Lady Elliot Island boat capsize: Desperate search for missing man after boat overturned ends in tragedy off Queensland coast near Bundaberg after Life Flight winched a father and son to safety

44 minutes ago

Lady Elliot Island boat capsize: Desperate search for missing man after boat overturned ends in tragedy off Queensland coast near Bundaberg after Life Flight winched a father and son to safety

44 minutes ago

Man City are 'prepared to take Joao Cancelo on pre-season tour' after 17-month absence... as Premier League champions demand Barcelona meet £25m asking price