Tips on medicines and pregnancy
08.03.2011 17:29
Drug commissioners and pharmacists' associations provide information about the risks of alcohol, tobacco and medication consumption during pregnancy.
Pregnant women should avoid alcohol, tobacco and – as far as possible – medication, as they endanger the health of the unborn child. An information flyer for pregnant women is available in numerous pharmacies nationwide. It was developed by the federal government's drug commissioner, Mechthild Dyckmans, in cooperation with the umbrella organization of pharmacists, the ABDA - Federal Association of German Pharmacists' Associations. This flyer is also available in pharmacies in Hesse. Together with the drug commissioner, Mechthild Dyckmans, the board member of the Hessian Pharmacists' Association, Kornelia Hellmuth, presented it inSchauburg near Kassel.
The federal government's drug commissioner, Mechthild Dyckmans, explains: “We were successful in reaching numerous pharmacies with our campaign and motivating them to take part. Well over 100,000 flyers were sent to pharmacies. They are currently being given out by pharmacists to pregnant women and their partners in order to discuss the risks of alcohol, tobacco and medication consumption during pregnancy. Because every pregnant woman must know: no alcohol and tobacco and medication only after consultation with the doctor or pharmacist!" The board member of the Hessian Pharmacists' Association, Kornelia Hellmuth, explains: "Pharmacies are important for pregnant women and young mothers - especially in rural areas Contact point for health questions. Here we can provide important information and tips and thus help to sensitize women to these topics. Neither the pharmaceutical mail order business nor the so-called pick-up points, for example in drugstores, do this,” says Hellmuth. The flyer provides concise and striking information about the dangers of alcohol and tobacco consumption for the unborn child.
It motivates pregnant women to talk to their doctor and pharmacist before taking medication or if they need help getting through the pregnancy without smoking or drinking alcohol. It also provides information on telephone hotlines for the Federal Center for Health Education and Internet addresses with further information.
A view of the flyer is available as a PDF file at http://www.bmg.bund.de/fileadmin/redaktion/Drogen_und_Sucht/pdf/10-08-23_ABDA_Flyer.pdf and http://www.abda.de/.