SW News: In the United States of America, pharmacies in South Dakota received a warning letter from Republican Governor Kristi Noem and Attorney General Marty J. Jackley on Tuesday, January 24 not to prescribe abortion pills. This comes after a pro-life drive by Republicans throughout the country in response to the Biden administration's decision to make it easier for pharmacists to provide medications used in abortions over the counter.

Since abortion is banned in the state except in circumstances when the mother's life is in danger, the official statement issued by the governor has made it clear that pharmacists are "subject to criminal prosecution" if they acquire or sell medications that induce abortion.

Both Noem and Jackley assured the public that South Dakota "would continue to enforce all laws, including those that protect and defend the lives of the unborn." In an effort to increase access to abortion pills, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated the labels earlier this month, allowing them to be sold at certified retail pharmacies, and it is possible that the change will make using online pharmacies to access such pills simpler. After a virtual visit to a doctor, patients in jurisdictions that permit it may have their prescriptions filled and their drugs delivered straight to their door.

The FDA adopted a rule revision that would allow retail pharmacies in the United States to offer “mifepristone”, one of two drugs commonly used simultaneously for a pharmaceutical abortion. However, the regulation change will not impact South Dakota, which outlaws abortion and termination medications. Experts believe abortion rights proponents are using test cases to challenge state prohibitions, which might lead to years of drug availability litigation.

The Associated Press reported that an email received by the director of the South Dakota Pharmacists Association, Amanda Bacon, said that no pharmacies in the state have said they want to take part in the federal program that gives out abortion pills.

In a separate development, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has threatened criminal prosecution against pharmacists who supply abortion medications, after last year's strict restriction on abortions in the state.