Misoprostol for postpartum hemorrhage: moving from evidence to practice

Clinical and operational evidence indicates that misoprostol is a safe and effective technology for addressing postpartum hemorrhage, a major cause of maternal death. This research has not yet been translated into effective policies, programs, and practice in many parts of the world. Efforts to expand evidence-based use of misoprostol are often complicated by misoprostol's range of indications, insufficient availability, a lack of evidence-based guidelines and provider training, and misconceptions about the drug. The medical and health policy communities need to work together to translate research findings into changes in policy, knowledge, and clinical practice so that we can deliver on the world's promise to improve maternal health.