Louisiana’s first-in-the-nation law listing the abortion medications mifepristone and misoprostol as “controlled dangerous substances” took effect Tuesday, triggering fears among health-care providers and pharmacists that routine care may be worsened for women in the state.

Starting Tuesday in Louisiana, mifepristone and misoprostol will be reclassified as controlled substances in the state, making it a crime punishable by up to five years in prison to possess the drugs without a prescription.

But already, doctors have said, the law is impacting care. "There are unintended consequences," said Dr. Veronica Gillispie-Bell, a New Orleans area OB-GYN who has testified before Congress on improving maternal outcomes.