NEW ORLEANS — We are less than a month away from life-saving medications becoming controlled substances under state law. Starting Oct. 1, access to mifepristone and misoprostol will be restricted.
When the two drugs are combined, they can induce abortion.
But local doctors, including the leader of the New Orleans Health Department Dr. Jennifer Avegno, have said the drugs are used separately for much more than abortion.
For example, misoprostol is used for miscarriage management, IUD insertion, and labor induction.
Under the new law, the drugs will be required to be stored like other dangerous controlled substances, and doctors are concerned that will make it harder to access during emergency situations.
“There is a lot of alarm. Every one of them that delivers babies routinely will tell you they use this drug all day long," Avegno said, “They are very commonly used in miscarriage management. Miscarriages are incredibly common. About one in four pregnancies end in miscarriage," she said.
Misoprostol is used every day to stop excessive bleeding, or uterine hemorrhage, after delivery.
“It’s very common to lose a lot of blood in delivery. That’s what women used to die of all the time," Avegno said.
Avegno was one of 200 doctors who wrote a letter opposing the legislation. However, it was signed into law by Governor Jeff Landry in May.
Right now, Avegno said it's 'best practice' to have an emergency pack in every delivery room that contains misoprostol to immediately stop a hemorrhage.
Time is running out for healthcare systems to figure out how to comply with the new law and still provide prompt, quality care.
“So, it’s just sort of like imagine that you have a propensity towards having horrible allergic reactions, and your Epipen is locked up somewhere and someone has to go get it," Avegno said, "Doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.”
Misoprostol is used more often than similar drugs that cannot be given to pregnant people with hypertension or asthma.
Avegno recommends that pregnant people discuss how this impacts their birthing plans with their doctor.
Meantime, doctors are awaiting guidance. Part of the new law requires the State Health Department to pass down guidelines to physicians, but so far, Avegno said she hasn't received any.
WWL Louisiana contacted LDH Tuesday afternoon but has not received a response.
“We’re a month away from the law changing and there’s a lot of confusion," Avegno said, “The special way it’s going to be stored now is going to mean, if nothing else a lot of close calls, and very very potentially bad outcomes for mom.”
Some of our region's largest healthcare providers are making decisions on how to comply with the law.
Ochsner said communications will be shared with physicians in the weeks ahead. Then, those will be shared with the media.
WWL is waiting for a response from LCMC Health.
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