Governor Jeff Landry of Louisiana made a significant decision by signing a law on Friday that designates abortion-inducing medicines as controlled substances, making Louisiana the first state in the US to do so.
The new legislation categorizes mifepristone and misoprostol as Schedule IV substances, a classification normally assigned to pharmaceuticals that have the potential for abuse or addiction.
Louisiana lawmakers are the first in the U.S. to vote to classify two commonly used abortion pills as “dangerous controlled substances.”
The state has a near-total abortion ban in place and already requires a prescription under state law for these abortion pills. pic.twitter.com/3wKbZ1XIxR
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) May 24, 2024
The legislation, which was approved by Louisiana’s House of Representatives and Senate, both of which are predominantly Republican, with significant support, is perceived as a component of the broader Republican-led initiatives aimed at limiting access to abortion.
It occurs during a period when the FDA’s regulations, which aim to increase availability of abortion drugs, are being examined by the Supreme Court.
In Louisiana, Mifepristone and misoprostol, which were approved by the FDA over twenty years ago for safe and successful pregnancy termination, are now classified in the same category as anti-anxiety drugs such as Xanax and Valium.
As a result of this reclassification, physicians will be required to obtain a specific license in order to administer these medications.
Additionally, the prescriptions will be recorded in a state database that may be accessed by police authorities without the need for a warrant.
Skeptics contend that this might potentially undermine the confidentiality of patient information and subject healthcare providers to unwarranted scrutiny.
Kirsten Moore, the director of the nonprofit organization Expanding drug Abortion Access (EMMA) Project, expressed her opinion on the law, emphasizing that it imposes additional responsibility, increases disorder, and causes uncertainty for individuals seeking this drug.
The ultimate objective is to securely store mifepristone and misoprostol once again.
The Louisiana State’s Legislature just voted to CRIMINALIZE abortion pills, adding mifepristone and misoprostol to Schedule IV of the state’s Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law.
No women should live in that state, they are getting their rights taken away daily pic.twitter.com/jkgAREP6F5— Bad Press (@bptnetwork) May 23, 2024
The legislation criminalizes the possession of the drugs without a prescription, carrying a penalty of imprisonment ranging from one to five years and fines of up to $5,000.
While pregnant women are not subject to penalty, anybody such as acquaintances, family members, or healthcare practitioners who aid in acquiring the tablets may be liable for prosecution.
Advocates of the legislation contend that imposing stricter regulations on mifepristone and misoprostol is essential to deter their unlawful utilization, especially in instances of forced medication-induced abortions.
Governor Landry underscored the bill’s intention to provide protection, expressing on social media, “This legislation safeguards women throughout Louisiana.”
Abortion rights groups have strongly criticized the law, perceiving it as a component of a larger campaign to make abortion illegal after the Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling that reversed Roe v. Wade.
This judgment has prompted many states, especially those led by Republicans, to implement strict abortion regulations.
President Joe Biden expressed his concern, remarking, “This is a period of great fear for women throughout the United States.”
If Donald Trump is reelected, he would endeavor to replicate the current situation in areas such as Louisiana across the entire nation.
Amidst the ongoing legal and political disputes about abortion rights, Louisiana’s recent legislation underscores the profound divisions and ongoing discussions surrounding reproductive health in the United States.
(The story is published based on the data from a syndicated feed. However there can be minor changes from the original source article.)
