A Louisiana bill proposes to classify the abortion-inducing drugs misoprostol and mifepristone as Schedule IV controlled dangerous substances, in the same category as narcotics and depressants. The amendment was added to a Senate bill that would criminalize giving abortion medication to a person without their consent. The bill’s sponsor, Republican state Sen. Thomas Pressly, introduced the legislation after his sister was given misoprostol against her will. Abortion is already banned in Louisiana with no exceptions for rape or incest.
The bill has sparked controversy, with nearly 270 Louisiana physicians and medical professionals signing a letter expressing concerns over the reclassification of the drugs. The signatories argue that mifepristone and misoprostol have not shown potential for abuse, dependence, or public health risks. They believe that placing the drugs under Schedule IV would create a false perception of their danger and unnecessary regulation, as they are widely prescribed and taken safely. Pressly countered these claims by stating that the legislation would not prohibit the drugs from being prescribed for legitimate reasons, and healthcare providers support the provision.
In a medication abortion, mifepristone blocks the hormone progesterone needed for a pregnancy to continue, while misoprostol is taken afterward to induce contractions. Misoprostol is approved for other conditions, like preventing stomach ulcers, and has been available at pharmacies for decades. The amended bill would make it a felony to possess the drugs without a valid prescription, punishable with up to five years in prison and fines of up to $5,000. Pregnant women are exempt from this law if they possess the drugs for their own consumption, and doctors in the state can still prescribe them.
Louisiana’s current law treats the distribution or possession with intent to distribute Schedule IV drugs as a felony, carrying penalties of up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $15,000. Lawmakers have until June 3 to give final approval to the legislation before sending it to Governor Jeff Landry for his signature. Despite the controversy surrounding the bill, Pressly believes that healthcare for women will not be negatively impacted, as the legislation aims to regulate access to the drugs rather than prohibit their legitimate use. This bill highlights the ongoing debate over reproductive rights and access to abortion-inducing medications in the state of Louisiana.
