Pharmacists' roles and perceptions in managing prenatal exposure to medications: A qualitative study

The safe use of medications during pregnancy is a critical aspect of maternal and fetal health. Pharmacists play a key role in medication management by providing counseling, assessing risks and benefits, and supporting healthcare providers. However, knowledge gaps, lack of consistent guidelines, and patient hesitancy may reduce their ability to offer effective guidance. This study examines pharmacists' perceptions, roles, and challenges in managing prenatal medication exposure. A qualitative research approach was employed using a self-administered online survey. The study targeted pharmacists working in hospitals, mental health facilities, and community pharmacies who had experience counseling pregnant women about medication safety. Thematic analysis was conducted following Braun and Clarke framework to identify key themes emerging from participants' responses. Eighteen pharmacists participated in the study, with experience ranging from 1 to 24 years. Three major themes emerged: training and knowledge gaps, where pharmacists reported limited formal training on prenatal medication management and a reliance on self-education and online resources; pharmacists' roles and responsibilities, highlighting their role in risk assessment, patient counseling, and collaboration with healthcare providers, though their contributions were often underutilized; and challenges and barriers, which included patient fears, misinformation, and the lack of standardized guidelines. Additionally, pharmacists emphasized the need for training programs, access to up-to-date drug safety resources, and interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance their competency in advising pregnant women. Pharmacists play a vital role in ensuring medication safety during pregnancy but face challenges due to training deficiencies, patient hesitancy, and lack of clinical guidelines. Addressing these gaps through enhanced training, evidence-based resources, and interdisciplinary collaboration can improve maternal healthcare. Future efforts should focus on targeted educational programs to strengthen pharmacists' role in prenatal medication management.