FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement from Alessandra Soler, executive director of the ACLU of Arizona, on SB 1324 becoming law:
"By signing SB 1324, Gov. Ducey decided he has the power to freeze time. This law prohibits Arizona women from receiving the best care, based on the most up-to-date scientific research, when a doctor administers medication abortion. Doctors are encouraged to prescribe medication in accordance with the most current evidence, even when research advances beyond the science used to formulate FDA guidelines.
"Arizona politicians passed similar legislation in 2012 and it was blocked by the courts. SB 1324 will not only restrict abortion access for Arizona women, it will also likely end up in court at significant expense to taxpayers.
"Medication abortion is safe and common. Decisions about its use should be left to a woman and her doctor, not politicians."
SB 1324 requires Arizona doctors to follow outdated FDA guidelines for medication abortion. These old guidelines call for higher doses of medication and additional doctor visits that research shows are unnecessary. The outdated guidelines also needlessly restrict the time frame in which a woman can access medication abortion.
Although the FDA this week updated its medication abortion guidelines, bringing them in line with years of research that prove the safety and efficacy of current, evidence-based medication abortion practice, laws restricting the use of a medication to the guidelines on the FDA label are improper. It is common practice for doctors to prescribe medication in an "off-label" manner when evidence dictates.
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