Bill wants to manufacture abortion pills containing controlled substances in Texas

A new bill in Texas would make abortion pills a controlled substance in an effort to curb the practice of self-directed abortions in the state.

House Bill 1339 aims to reclassify the drugs mifepristone and misoprostol as Schedule IV substances. The bill, filed by Republican Rep. Pat Curry of Waco, borrows heavily from a law passed in Louisiana this year.

Gynecologists have raised alarm about the Louisiana law’s impact on clinical settings. While mifepristone and misoprostol are known for their use in medication abortions, the drugs are also commonly used for other purposes in gynecological care, including miscarriage treatment. Misoprostol is used to treat postpartum hemorrhage or severe bleeding after childbirth.

When the law went into effect, the Louisiana Department of Health issued guidance on how mifepristone and misoprostol should be safely stored and dispensed since they are now classified as controlled substances — meaning the drugs may no longer be kept at arm’s length in emergencies can be.

In September, the president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists criticized the law, saying it created “administrative hurdles” that would lead to delays in care.

“Legislators are creating barriers for doctors in emergency situations where a patient’s life or health could be at risk,” said Dr. Stella Dantas, president of ACOG, said in a statement. “In obstetrics and gynecology, minutes or even seconds can mean the difference between life and death.”

Healthcare providers in Louisiana have sued the state, challenging the law.

In statements about The Texas TribuneCurry said his intent in filing the bill was to make it harder for people to order mifepristone and misoprostol online for use in abortions, dismissing concerns raised by doctors.

Since almost all abortions became illegal in Texas, many women turned to self-directed abortions using pills received in the mail. A study published in January – authored by a UT Austin professor – found that inquiries to the UK-based telemedicine service Aid Access spiked after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision was overturned Roe v. Wade was leaked.

Texas passed a law In 2021, sending abortion medications by mail became illegal in the state. But other states where abortion is legal, such as New York and Colorado, have enacted “shield laws” designed to protect providers who prescribe abortion pills to patients in states with different laws.

The reclassification of mifepristone and misoprostol as Schedule IV substances could result in new penalties for illegal possession or distribution of the drugs. However, Louisiana law does not impose penalties for women who possess mifepristone and misoprostol, which are intended for personal use.

Concerns remain among many physicians and reproductive health advocates about how Texas abortion laws could impact the quality of care for women experiencing miscarriages and other obstetric health emergencies. ProPublica reported on it in recent weeks stories from three Women who died after doctors refused to treat miscarriages because they feared it would be legally classified as an abortion. Doctors could face severe penalties if they are found to be violating Texas Senate Bill 8, which allows abortion only if a pregnant woman’s life or a “major bodily function” is at risk.

Dr. Todd Ivey, a Houston-based gynecologist, said Curry’s bill raises new concerns that misoprostol could be less accessible in emergencies. He said he was concerned about the possibility that Louisiana’s law would be duplicated in Texas.

“Every second counts when you’re talking about postpartum hemorrhage,” Ivey said. “I think it’s incredibly important that it’s easily accessible, whether it’s in the room or quickly available when you request it.”

Drugs classified as controlled substances, unlike mifepristone and misoprostol, are generally addictive and must be tracked through the Texas agency. Prescription monitoring system. Ivey said this requirement can be particularly burdensome for rural hospitals with limited resources.

“Small hospitals may not want to go through this because you have to be accountable for everything,” he said. “If they don’t provide obstetric care, they may choose not to wear it at all – but if someone shows up in the emergency room, which can happen in a rural area, and ends up delivering the baby, then even if the doctor does Know exactly what to do, they won’t have the tools to do it.”