[Evaluation and impact of "pregnancy" pharmaceutical pictograms among 281 women]

In France, since 2017 new pharmaceutical pictograms appeared on drugs with a potentieal risk during pregnancy. This apposition, left to the discretion of marketing authorization holders, has uncertain consequences for women's reactions to them. The present survey is the first one interested in the opinion of the women concerned (pregnant or of childbearing age) as well as on the interpretation that they make of it. The survey answers enhanced that the pregnancy pictogram is an initiative welcomed by women who estimate that it secures drug intake. However, we demonstrate a poor understanding of the message conveyed by these pictograms (more than 50 % think they concern breastfeeding and more than 10 % fertility) and inappropriate behavior towards them (more than 80  of women pregnant stopped or decreased their medication immediately, without medical advice). The survey also highlights the need for information of women concerned by these pictograms and the limited information given by health professionals on this subject. It seems urgent to revise the law, to limite the use of these pictograms that appear to be too broad, incoherent and sometimes unjustified. In addition, public information seems an essential issue when focusing on these new pharmaceutical pictograms.