Yesterday, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and Attorney General Marty Jackley released a letter (full text) sent to South Dakota pharmacists warning them that despite FDA approval for the abortion drug Mifepristone to be dispensed at pharmacies, it violates South Dakota law to do so. The letter reads in part:
This side-stepping on the part of the FDA permits dangerous, at-home abortions without any medical oversight. It also violates state law that makes dispensing this medication for abortions a felony.
Chemical abortions remain illegal in South Dakota. Under South Dakota law, pharmacies, including chain drug stores, are prohibited from procuring and dispensing abortion-inducing drugs with the intent to induce an abortion, and are subject to felony prosecution under South Dakota law, despite the recent FDA ruling. Their resources should be focused on helping mothers and their babies, both before birth and after.
All abortions, whether surgically or chemically induced, terminate the life of a living human being. South Dakota will continue to enforce all laws including those that respect and protect the lives of the unborn.
