Governor Signs Bill Restricting Access to Medication Abortion
Louisiana Governor signed a bill on Friday that makes the state the first in the nation to classify mifepristone and misoprostol, the two drugs used in medication abortions, as controlled substances. This designation is typically reserved for medications with a high potential for abuse or addiction.
Measure Passes Through Republican-Led Legislature
The bill enjoyed broad support within Louisiana’s Republican-controlled House and Senate, passing with wide margins. This comes amidst ongoing legal challenges to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) efforts to expand access to abortion pills at the Supreme Court.
Pills Deemed Safe by FDA Now Classified as Schedule IV Drugs
The new law categorizes mifepristone and misoprostol as Schedule IV drugs. This classification typically applies to pain relievers and mood-altering medications that require stricter monitoring due to potential abuse or dependence.
Critics Argue Classification is Misguided and Creates Unnecessary Barriers
Opponents of the bill argue that it creates an unnecessary hurdle for patients seeking medication abortions. They also express concern that the classification will make it harder to obtain these medications for other approved medical uses, such as inducing labor, treating miscarriages, and preventing bleeding from ulcers.
This law places Louisiana at the forefront of the national debate over abortion access, with critics arguing it restricts safe and legal medical procedures.
