Louisiana to reclassify abortion pills as controlled substances

Louisiana’s Senate passed a contentious bill Thursday that could reclassify two abortion-inducing drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol, as controlled and dangerous substances.

The move, which awaits Republican Gov. Jeff Landry’s signature, aims to tighten restrictions on the medications, making it illegal to possess them without a prescription and punishable with jail time.

Proponents of the legislation say it would protect expectant mothers from coerced abortions.

But it raises concerns among doctors and abortion rights advocates. The new law requires special licenses for medical professionals to prescribe these drugs and mandates their storage in specific facilities, potentially limiting access for rural clinics.

Over 200 doctors have opposed the bill, arguing it will complicate access to vital reproductive health care, including treatments for miscarriages and hemorrhaging.