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A new law will go into effect in Louisiana on Oct. 1 that will classify two drugs—mifepristone and misoprostol, which are commonly used for abortions, postpartum hemorrhaging, and miscarriage management—as “controlled dangerous substances.” The change is worrying doctors who say the repercussions could be life-threatening for some.
The law, which passed in the state House and Senate in the spring and was shortly after signed by Republican Gov. Jeff Landry, makes Louisiana the first state in the country to reclassify the medications. While abortion is banned in nearly all circumstances in Louisiana, the drugs have many other medical uses, and doctors have argued that reclassifying the medications could restrict or block patients’ access to health care, sometimes in emergencies.
Read More: Louisiana Could Soon Classify Abortion Pills as Controlled Substances. Here’s What to Know
The bill, known as SB 276, was initially only about criminalizing the administration of these drugs to a pregnant person without their knowledge or consent, but the move to reclassify the two drugs was added as an amendment to the bill late in the legislative process. Under the new law, the drugs will be categorized in the same vein as Valium and Xanax.
An anti-abortion group, Louisiana Right to Life, worked on the bill and amendment. Before it passed, more than 200 Louisiana doctors signed a letter to lawmakers objecting to the amendment. Research has found both medications to be safe, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration doesn’t consider the drugs to have a significant risk of abuse or dependence.
Sarah Zagorski, communications director for Louisiana Right to Life, says that while she understands the concern, the state has offered “plenty of guidance and clarification” that make it clear that the drugs can be used in medically necessary situations. She cites the Louisiana Department of Health, which released guidance for health care professionals in September, saying…
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