New Orleans – In response to media inquires from local and national press, Louisiana Right to Life is providing answers to questions regarding the amendment that was added to Senate Bill 276, the Abortion by Fraud Criminalization Act.

Sen. Pressly was inspired to author SB 276 after his sister was poisoned by abortion-inducing drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol, without her knowledge by her former husband. Sen. Pressly stated it is his goal to keep these pills out of the hands of predators such as his sister’s former husband, and has ample evidence of abuse of these drugs in Louisiana.

Louisiana Right to Life is also providing information because recent news coverage by The Advocate, and others, have neglected to include factual information about Sen. Pressly’s decision to add abortion pills to Schedule IV of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law in Louisiana to his bill.

More thorough answers can also be viewed in our investigative report regarding the abortion pill crisis in Louisiana: The Rampant Abuse of Abortion Pills.

1) Can a substance that is not addictive be added to a schedule of controlled substances?

• Yes. Louisiana law (Revised Statute, RS 40:961) provides definitions regarding controlled substances, and criteria for them to be included. Nothing in Louisiana law states that controlled substances must be addictive.

2) Will doctors and pharmacists still be able to legitimately administer or dispense mifepristone or misoprostol?

• Yes. Doctors and pharmacists have established protocols for dealing with controlled substances that have legitimate medical uses.

3) Cytotec is commonly used by doctors for purposes other than elective abortion. Can doctors still use Cytotec if SB 276 is passed?

• Yes. SB 276 permits Cytotec to be used for legitimate healthcare purposes, not elective abortion.

4) Is It Already Illegal to Possess Abortion Pills Without a Prescription?

• Yes. It is currently illegal for a person to possess any legend drug, also known as a prescription drug, without a lawful prescription from a physician. See RS:40:1060:13.

5) Why Schedule IV?

• Schedule IV provides additional penalties when a Schedule IV controlled substance is used to commit a crime of violence and is administered to a person without their knowledge. Senator Pressly felt this situation appropriately fits the crime perpetrated on his sister.

6) Can a woman who is in possession of or has taken abortion pills be punished under Louisiana’s Uniform Controlled Substances Act?

• No. The amended version of the bill states that “It shall not be a violation of this Subsection for a pregnant woman to possess mifepristone or misoprostol for her own consumption.” As stated above, Louisiana law already says it’s “unlawful for any person to sell, deliver, or possess any legend (prescription) drug except upon the order or prescription of a physician.” (RS:401060:13)

7) Will SB 276 somehow “scare” patients away from using Misoprostol?

• No. Many controlled substances, including opioids, antidepressants, and other common medications, are prescribed for legitimate health reasons.

Sarah Zagorski, the Communications Director for Louisiana Right to Life, said the following regarding the pro-abortion and slanted media coverage: “It is preposterous that The Advocate, and other publications, have presented a radical pro-abortion position on SB 276 when we have provided ample information in our published report about the abortion pill crisis in Louisiana.

As outlined in our report, the abortion regimen needs to included in the Controlled Substance List because there is evidence that shows minors, abuse victims, and predators of any kind can currently buy abortion pills online, on the streets, or in bulk.

Zagorski added “Ironically, The Advocate includes information from a variety of abortion pill distributors that are illegally providing the abortion regimen in Louisiana, even citing that one distributor provides 500 residents with pills each month. They also cited another abortion pill distributor out of Mexico that has provided 2,000 pills to Louisianans since 2022 with no medical consultation or prescription. The Advocate’s own reporting demonstrates the crisis Senator Pressly’s bill is addressing.”

Louisiana Right to Life urges the media to report accurately on SB 276 rather than misleading the public in an attempt to induce panic and fear.