Informing women about drugs they take during pregnancy: promoting consumers' drug information as integral part of care

Although it is recommended that drugs be avoided as much as possible during pregnancy, attitudes towards setting,time and method of the performed stud ies, and characteristics of the investigated population have been shown to vary. A collaborative and permanent network of different observational poin ts is essential in monitoring and assessing the rational use of drugs, espe cially during pregnancy. In a context where knowledge is often scant and co ntradictory, the importance and the need for information on drug use during pregnancy remain unquestioned. If health (drug) information is the interfa ce between those who produce and have knowledge and those who are beneficia ries of such knowledge, information for pregnant women (as well as for all lay people) is mandatory. initiatives, people and instruments whose job it is to produce and diffuse informations have to be assessed and qualitativel y harmonized to adequately answer to questions and needs. Women need inform ation (concerning both pregnancy and drugs) on which to base choices on the ir own health care (and pregnancy). Clearly, this interaction depends on th e kind of information and on the spirit with which it is provided. Thus it is essential that information (especially during pregnancy) be based on tra nsparency and accountability, and it be directed by the principles of equit y, effectiveness and affordability.