Drug utilization studies in pregnancy: what can they contribute to safety assessment?

This thesis examines the manner in which drug utilization data obtained from community pharmacies can contribute to a safe and rational use of drugs shortly before and during pregnancy. Three studies were performed with this goal in mind. The first study is based on data relating to 1,948 women obtained from 10 community pharmacies in the north of The Netherlands; it describes the use of prescribed drugs before, during and after pregnancy. In the second study 295 mothers were interviewed a few days after delivery about the medication which they had used during pregnancy. The third study describes the use of ovulation-stimulating drugs in the Dutch population.