August 16, 2018.
A decree published at the end of 2017 obliges pharmaceutical companies to affix a pictogram on the boxes of many anti-asthma treatments. A bad idea, according to the pulmonary medical community.
Dangerous drugs in pregnancy?
8% of pregnant women suffer from asthma. Until 2017, they could follow anti-asthmatic treatments (inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators) but since the publication of a decree, a pictogram indicates that some of these drugs are identified as ” dangerous “ for pregnant women. Some have therefore given up on treatment, which can endanger the good progress of the pregnancy as well as the health of the fetus.
The pneumological medical community therefore wished to alert the National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM), so that the latter corrects the situation and that she withdraw this pictogram which misleads pregnant women. ” The entire pneumological medical community is worried about the harm caused by the affixing of these pictograms. “, She said.
Pictograms that mislead?
” This approach goes against the strategy recommended in the treatment of the disease and seems unwarranted or even dangerous, taking into account the scientific data available on the subject She added. For its part, the Société de pneumologie de langue française recommends that patients not interrupt their treatment in the event of pregnancy despite the pictogram ” pregnant women = danger On the box of their medication.
” These pictograms generate concern and alarmism that are counterproductive for patients. », Also notes Dr Elisabeth Elefant, head of the Reference Center on Teratogenic Agents (CRAT), in Le Figaro. Without these treatments, some women take the risk of suffering a severe attack that can lead to hospitalization. Generally, it is strongly advised not to stop treatment without the advice of your doctor.
Marine Rondot
For more information: Medication during pregnancy
