Louisiana Reclassifies Abortion Pills as Controlled Substances, Raising Health Concerns

Doctors warn the new law could delay critical care for women experiencing miscarriages and other pregnancy-related emergencies.

Starting Tuesday, Louisiana will classify mifepristone and misoprostol as Schedule IV controlled substances, making possession without a prescription a crime punishable by up to five years in prison.
The law aims to prevent coerced abortions but has sparked fears among healthcare providers about delays in accessing the drugs for legitimate medical uses.
The reclassification could hinder the timely treatment of life-threatening conditions such as postpartum hemorrhaging, which requires immediate medical intervention.
Doctors and pharmacists are concerned about increased oversight and potential legal repercussions, which may deter them from prescribing and dispensing these medications.
Advocates worry the law will disproportionately affect Black women, who already face higher maternal mortality rates in Louisiana.