A bill introduced in Louisiana seeks to reclassify abortion-inducing drugs misoprostol and mifepristone as Schedule IV substances, facing resistance from healthcare professionals who argue against the proposed changes.
A bill in Louisiana, introduced by Republican State Sen. Thomas Pressly, proposes the reclassification of the abortion-inducing drugs misoprostol and mifepristone as Schedule IV substances, aligning them with controlled narcotics and depressants. Pressly was motivated by an incident involving his sister, where misoprostol was administered without her consent. This legislation comes despite Louisiana’s existing ban on abortions, which includes cases of rape and incest.
The bill has been met with significant opposition from the medical community in Louisiana, with nearly 270 healthcare professionals signing a letter highlighting that neither drug has been associated with abuse, dependency, or significant public health risks. They argue that the reclassification could mislead the public about the safety of these drugs, which are also used to treat other medical conditions such as stomach ulcers and have been safely prescribed for years.
Despite the concerns, Pressly stands by the proposal, emphasizing that the legislation would not restrict the prescription or dispensing of these medications for legitimate medical purposes and claiming support from other doctors. Under the proposed law, unauthorized possession of these drugs would result in felony charges, with penalties including up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine, although there would be exceptions for pregnant women using the medications personally.
The bill must pass by June 3 to advance to Republican Governor Jeff Landry for approval. Doctors would still be permitted to prescribe these medications if the bill becomes law.