In response to the dissemination of the New Orleans Health Department’s report on Act 246 of the 2024 Legislative Session, Erica Inzina, J.D., Policy Director of Louisiana Right to Life, issued the following statement:

“Misoprostol continues to be available in Louisiana for purposes other than elective abortion.

After speaking to OBGYNs in New Orleans today, one physician shared the following information with us:

 ‘I have written hundreds of prescriptions for Misoprostol since the implementation of Act 246 and have yet to have an issue with my patients having their prescription filled. Further, I have not had a single issue with obtaining Misoprostol while caring for patients at the hospital, even when time is of the essence.’

Several other New Orleans-area OBGYNs echoed that response.

In reality, Act 246 does not prevent pharmacies from stocking Misoprostol or timely filling appropriate prescriptions. Indeed, as noted in the Department’s report, many pharmacies do not stock Misoprostol because of ‘historically low prescription volume.’  Furthermore, hospitals can and do use Misoprostol, even in emergency situations.

We are disappointed that the New Orleans Health Department neglected to reference the important guidance provided by Attorney General Liz Murrill from September of 2024.  In her guidance, AG Murrill states that Act 246 ‘does not limit a healthcare provider’s ability to use, prescribe, or fill these medications for legitimate health purposes nor does it impose restrictive burdens on access for emergency purposes.‘  She goes on to provide further information that can assist hospitals and pharmacists to comply with the law.  As the Attorney General of Louisiana, her guidance on Louisiana law should not be overlooked.

We do agree with the New Orleans Health Department that more education in the community, whether from the Board of Pharmacy, the Department of Health, or other entities, is important. Every pharmacist and healthcare provider should be informed of the guidance available. 

Sadly, the New Orleans Health Department proposes no solutions to address the trafficking of abortion pills that is endangering women and babies in Louisiana.  Together with pro-abortion allies across the country, they are turning a blind-eye to the destruction of life and the danger to women presented by these pills.

In 2021, the Biden Administration unleashed chaos when they permitted chemical abortion drugs to be sold online and distributed through the mail without the proper in-person examination from a doctor.  Not only did this decision endanger the lives of precious unborn babies, but it placed the health and safety of women in jeopardy.  Act 246 is necessary to control the reckless spread of abortion pills, as was seen in the tragic story of Catherine Herring, the sister of Senator Thomas Pressly.

We continue to see how the spread of abortion pills harms Louisiana women and babies.  Earlier in 2025, the story of the young pregnant girl in West Baton Rouge Parish whose mother ordered abortion pills online and forced her to take them came to light. Even though the young girl wanted to keep her baby, she ended up in a hospital with complications from the abortion pill.  Last week, Rosalie Markezich of Louisiana began to share her story.  Her boyfriend pressured her to take abortion pills after obtaining them online.

We must continue to protect unborn babies and women, both by ensuring availability of medications for legitimate healthcare purposes and limiting unfettered access to dangerous abortion pills. It is possible to do both, and we call on the New Orleans Health Department to seek productive solutions rather than merely offering politically-motivated complaints.”