### Louisiana's New Law Classifies Common Abortion Pills as Controlled Substances, Sparking Health Concerns

Louisiana has enacted a groundbreaking law that marks mifepristone and misoprostol as "controlled substances," a move medical professionals warn may put women's lives at risk. Passed despite extensive opposition, the law restricts access to these drugs widely used beyond abortion, such as in managing postpartum hemorrhage and other medical conditions.

The law, which went into effect on Tuesday, places mifepristone and misoprostol under schedule IV, a category typically reserved for drugs with potential for abuse or dependence. Individuals found in possession of these medications without a legal prescription could face up to five years in prison. However, pregnant women who obtain these drugs for personal use will not face penalties under the new legislation.

Misoprostol and mifepristone are primarily recognized for their use in medication abortions, but their applications are far broader. These medications are instrumental in miscarriage management, treating ulcers, and aiding cervix softening during labor and other procedures. At Dr. Nicole Freehill's Louisiana hospital, for instance, misoprostol is a standard component in hemorrhage carts used during labor and delivery.

Due to new security measures required for schedule IV drugs, the hospital must now store misoprostol outside patient rooms. This change poses significant risks. A recent hospital drill revealed it took nurses approximately two minutes to retrieve misoprostol—a stark contrast to the previous 15 seconds. "Two minutes might seem brief, but in a hemorrhaging scenario, those seconds mean hundreds of cc's of blood lost," Dr. Freehill explained. "I'm genuinely worried about patient outcomes under these conditions."

This new regulation intensifies existing challenges in the United States, which already has notably higher maternal mortality rates compared to other affluent countries, especially among Black American women. Prior to the law's enactment, over 200 doctors urged the state legislator responsible for the bill to reconsider. They warned that classifying these medications as controlled substances would complicate the coordination required among pharmacists, providers, and patients, ultimately resulting in delayed care and poorer health outcomes.

Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade two years ago, over a dozen states including Louisiana have passed stringent abortion bans. Despite these restrictive measures, the incidence of abortions in U.S. clinics has risen, as have self-induced abortions using medications. In response, anti-abortion advocates have focused on restricting access to abortion pills, which now account for two-thirds of all U.S. abortions.

Dr. Freehill emphasized the lack of medical justification for reclassifying mifepristone and misoprostol as schedule IV drugs. "I use these medications frequently, often five out of seven days a week, and not for abortion services," she said. "This new rule doesn't enhance patient safety; it endangers it."