Prescription Drugs and Pregnancy Research
A new research program by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) will soon begin. The “Medication Exposure in Pregnancy Risk Evaluation Program” will study effects of prescription drugs taken during pregnancy. Drugs can affect or harm the fetus or baby, so pregnant women should consult their doctor before taking any prescription medication. Researchers at HMO Research Network Center for Education and Research in Therapeutics, Kaiser Permanent, and Vanderbilt University will join forces to research this issue. This program will bring both clinical and research expertise together to further investigate this issue. The health-plan sites where research will be conducted include 11 health plan research sites. Dr. Richard Platt will lead the coordinating center for the program at the HMO Research Network Data Center at the department of Population Medicine of Harvard Medical School.
Due to the safety and health concerns of the mother and child, few trials have been done to test the safety of medications and little is known about the actual risks to the child. According to the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AJOG), approximately 2/3 of pregnant women take at least one prescription medication during their pregnancy. Often, pregnant mothers are unaware of any health risks but continue with administration of the medication because it is “prescribed” by a physician. It is anticipated that this program will provide the necessary information for both patients and physicians when making decisions about prescription medication during pregnancy.
For more information go to: http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm195934.htm
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