State bans may go after more than abortion drugs

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

By Lisa Jarvis / Bloomberg Opinion

It’s not yet two weeks since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, and already the ruling is impeding people’s access to drugs; including drugs not being used for abortions.

State trigger laws now going into effect are of course making it harder and sometimes illegal for women to get medication abortion, the two-pill regimen approved by the Food and Drug Administration to end early pregnancies. But emergency contraceptives and the autoimmune-disease treatment methotrexate are also being caught up by overly broad interpretations of abortion bans.

So far, pharma companies have been silent on these restrictions. Perhaps many of them simply assume that the loss of mifepristone is no risk to their bottom lines. But any state restrictions on FDA-approved drugs could amount to a worrisome precedent.

“Maybe industry feels secure for now, but I don’t think they should,” said Rachel Sachs, a professor at Washington University in St. Louis who specializes in FDA and health law. “If states can ban an FDA-approved drug for an FDA-approved purpose, what drugs can’t they ban?”

https://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/comment-state-bans-may-go-after-more-than-abortion-drugs/

[RKP5637]

1. As the US falls apart one will be forced to use illegal sources and conveyance. Thanks SCOTUS!

What ignorant dip shits with just a label!

[kimbutgar]

2. These republicans really want to rile up the women

And those women need to be so riled up they need vote out every Republican.

[slightlv]

3. Autoimmune diseases hit both genders, but

disproportionately affect women most. Why would these R's be concerned about that?!

[Haggis 4 Breakfast]

4. why ban methotrexate ?

For people with Rheumatoid Arthritis, this medication is essential.

Why would any state ban this ? Anyone ??

[Whatthe_Firetruck]

5. It can be used...

...To end some pregnancies.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-overturning-roe-v-wade-is-affecting-access-to-autoimmune-medications

*The overturning of the constitutional right to obtain an abortion has led some states to enact laws that ban not only surgical abortions but also medications that are used to terminate pregnancies.

*Methotrexate is widely used for the treatment of autoimmune disorders, and the treatment of cancers but is also an abortion-inducing drug used to terminate ectopic pregnancies.

*Pharmacists in states like Texas have reportedly refused to fill methotrexate prescriptions for individuals with ectopic pregnancies or autoimmune disorders due to fear of legal repercussions.

*Methotrexate can also lead to birth defects, and the potential of accidental pregnancies in the absence of access to abortions has also led rheumatologists to reconsider prescribing the drug to women of child-bearing age.

[Haggis 4 Breakfast]

6. Pharmacists should be forced to explain their reasons for denial of this med.

I have several family members with RA. They've all taken methotrexate for years and being in their 60s/70s, there is zero chance of pregnancy. I know what you're thinking - they could be buying it for someone else. Not in my state. Not legal to do that.