Louisiana lawmakers are considering a controversial bill that would add two common reproductive health drugs to the state’s list of controlled dangerous substances.
Mifepristone and misoprostol, used in various medical procedures, including abortion, would be classified as Schedule IV drugs, carrying penalties of up to 10 years in prison for possession without a valid prescription. This move has alarmed doctors, who argue it could delay life-saving care and threaten women’s health.
The bill, sponsored by Republican state senator Thomas Pressly, aims to restrict access to abortion medications in Louisiana, which has a near-total abortion ban. Over 250 physicians have signed a letter opposing the bill, citing concerns about its impact on women’s health and the potential for abuse.
Louisiana Lawmakers Weigh Reclassifying Drugs Used in Abortion as Schedule IV Controlled Substances
The proposal has sparked a heated debate, with anti-abortion advocates claiming it will protect vulnerable women and unborn babies, while reproductive rights supporters argue it’s a dangerous attempt to control access to essential medications.
If passed, the law would be the first of its kind, opening up a new front in the state-by-state battle over reproductive medicine. The move has raised concerns among doctors, who fear it could set a dangerous precedent for restricting access to other drugs deemed objectionable by state officials.
The bill awaits a full floor vote in the state House and reconciliation with a Senate version before potentially being signed into law by Republican Governor Jeff Landry, a vocal opponent of abortion rights.
