Louisiana Passes Bill Classifying Abortion-Inducing Drugs as Controlled Substances
The Louisiana state House recently approved a bill that would classify the abortion-inducing drugs misoprostol and mifepristone as Schedule IV controlled dangerous substances. This classification places them in the same category as highly regulated drugs such as narcotics and depressants. The bill passed with a vote of 64-29 and will now be sent back to the Senate for concurrence.
The legislation, known as Senate Bill 276, also criminalizes providing abortion medication to someone without their consent. The amendment to classify the drugs as Schedule IV substances was added after the bill passed the Senate. Republican state Senator Thomas Pressly, the bill’s sponsor, proposed the legislation after his sister was given misoprostol against her will. It is worth noting that Louisiana already has a ban on abortion with no exceptions for cases of rape or incest.
Mifepristone is a drug that blocks the hormone progesterone, which is necessary for pregnancy to continue. It is typically followed by the administration of misoprostol within 24 to 48 hours, causing the uterus to contract and leading to cramping and bleeding. While misoprostol has been available at pharmacies for decades and is approved for use in other conditions such as preventing stomach ulcers, the amended bill would make it a felony to possess these drugs without a valid prescription. The penalties for possession could include up to five years in prison and fines of up to $5,000.
However, pregnant women who possess mifepristone and misoprostol for their own consumption would be exempt from prosecution under the legislation. Doctors in the state would still have the ability to prescribe these drugs.
The bill’s passage in the House has garnered mixed reactions from various groups. Vice President Kamala Harris expressed her disapproval, calling it “absolutely unconscionable” on X. On the other hand, the anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America celebrated the bill’s approval, stating that adding abortion drugs to the controlled substance list would make them harder for abusers to obtain while still being available for legitimate medical reasons.
The bill has faced opposition from a group of nearly 270 Louisiana physicians, health care providers, and medical students who signed a letter expressing concerns over the reclassification of the drugs. The letter highlights that neither mifepristone nor misoprostol have shown any potential for abuse, dependence, public health risk, or high rates of adverse side effects. It argues that placing these drugs under Schedule IV would create a false perception of them being dangerous and requiring additional regulation, despite their widespread and safe use.
Senator Pressly responded to the letter by asserting that the legislation would not prohibit the prescription or dispensing of these drugs for legitimate reasons. He also consulted with doctors who believe that this provision will not harm healthcare for women.
If the Senate accepts the amended bill, it will be presented to Republican Governor Jeff Landry for approval. If signed into law, Louisiana would become the only state to classify these abortion-inducing drugs as controlled dangerous substances.
In conclusion, the Louisiana state House has passed a bill classifying abortion-inducing drugs as controlled substances. The legislation has generated controversy, with some supporting the increased regulation of these drugs and others arguing against it. The bill’s fate now lies in the hands of the Senate and Governor Landry.
