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Updated: Jul 20, 2026

A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
Published on: January 12, 2018
Risk minimization practices for pregnancy prevention: understanding risk, selecting tools.
Kathleen Uhl1, Anne Trontell, Dianne Kennedy
1US Food and Drug Administration, Office of Women's Health, Rockville, MD 20857, USA. kathleen.uhl@fda.hhs.gov
Preventing birth defects from medications is crucial. This paper discusses strategies for drug risk management to minimize fetal exposure while ensuring patient access to beneficial treatments.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Teratology
- Public Health
Background:
- Approximately 4% of US births have birth defects, with unknown causes for most.
- Drug-induced birth defects are rare (<1%) but preventable through risk management.
- Identifying teratogenicity early in drug development is vital.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline considerations for developing risk minimization programs for drugs.
- To prevent fetal drug exposure during pregnancy.
- To optimize the benefit-risk balance for medications.
Main Methods:
- Review of general considerations for risk minimization programs.
- Analysis of strategies to prevent fetal drug exposure.
- Evaluation of advantages and disadvantages of different approaches.
Main Results:
- Risk assessment and minimization are key components of drug risk management.
- Tailored and consistent approaches are necessary for effective risk minimization.
- Strategies aim to balance drug benefits with fetal safety.
Conclusions:
- Effective risk management programs are essential for preventing drug-induced birth defects.
- Product-specific concerns should guide the development of risk minimization strategies.
- Optimizing benefit-risk balance ensures safe and effective medication use during pregnancy.
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