South Dakota Gov. Noem threatens fees for abortion capsules

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, together with the state’s Republican lawyer normal, stated Tuesday the state will prosecute pharmacists who dispense abortion-inducing capsules following a current Meals and Drug Administration rule change that broadens access to the pills.

The Republican governor and South Dakota Lawyer Common Marty Jackley launched a letter to South Dakota pharmacists saying they’re “topic to felony prosecution” in the event that they procure or dispense abortion-inducing medication. The state bans all abortions besides to save lots of the lifetime of the pregnant particular person.

“South Dakota will proceed to implement all legal guidelines together with those who respect and shield the lives of the unborn,” Noem and Jackley stated within the letter.

The FDA earlier this month formally up to date labeling for abortion capsules to permit many extra retail pharmacies to dispense them, as long as they full a certification course of.

The change might develop entry at on-line pharmacies. Individuals can get a prescription by way of telehealth session with a well being skilled after which obtain the capsules by the mail, the place permitted by regulation.

Nonetheless, in states like South Dakota, the rule change’s impression has been blunted by legal guidelines limiting abortion broadly and the capsules particularly. Authorized consultants foresee years of courtroom battles over entry to the capsules as abortion-rights proponents carry take a look at instances to problem state restrictions.