Senate approves bills creating regulatory framework for use of abortion drugs

The full Senate has given approval to a pair of bills aimed at better protecting the health of Oklahoma women who use abortion-inducing drugs to end their pregnancies.  Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, is the principal author of Senate Bills 778 and 779 which were approved on Wednesday.

Daniels said chemical abortions now comprise an estimated 41% of all U.S. abortions, a number that’s growing, and the risk of potentially life-threatening complications is four times greater compared to surgical abortion.

She said up until now, the federal government has used Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) to protect the health of women who use abortion inducing drugs to make sure these drugs are regulated, ensure the safety of the women after use and track health complications.  But Daniels said the abortion industry is pushing the federal government to abandon those safeguards.

“We’re working to put together a regulatory framework so Oklahoma can track the use of these drugs, make sure they are used appropriately and track complications in the women who use them, using non-identifying information,” Daniels said.  “We also want to certify the physicians who prescribe these drugs and have them report on complications.  I personally am opposed to these drugs, but if they are going to be used, we need to safeguard the health of the women taking them.”

According to Daniels, SB 778 would certify the physicians who prescribe abortion inducing drugs to ensure informed consent, proper use, and require physicians to provide data about outcomes.  SB 779 directs the State Board of Pharmacy to promulgate rules to track the manufacturing and distribution of these drugs in Oklahoma and certify their proper use by physicians. 

Both measures now move to the House of Representatives for further consideration.  Rep. Mark Lepak, R-Claremore, is the principal author of the bills in the House.

For more information, contact Sen. Julie Daniels at 405-521-5634 or email Julie.Daniels@oksenate.gov