AN EVESHAM-based charity has called for action on maternal medicine as a new report reveals the calls for change.
In a UK-first report launched today (Thursday) in the House of Commons, leading figures from charities including Evesham based Action on Pre-eclampsia, healthcare, industry, law and academia have outlined a collaborative vision for UK leadership to improve maternal health.
The Healthy Mum, Healthy Baby, Healthy Future: The Case for UK Leadership in the Development of Safe, Effective and Accessible Medicines for Use in Pregnancy report proposes a clear roadmap to improve the lives of millions of people, not just for women while they are pregnant, but for future generations.
Globally, more than 800 women and 12,000 newborns die every day from preventable pregnancy-related complications – that is one woman and 17 babies every two minutes. Pregnancy complications affect two lives in one short period of time, yet only two medicines have ever been developed specifically for pregnancy-related conditions, and not a single new medicine for some of the most serious pregnancy- specific conditions has reached women in decades.
The report advocates for women who have been historically excluded from clinical trials to be a vital part of future research, ensuring they are not left behind and can benefit from modern medical advances. The UK, with its existing track record of pregnancy research, and lifelong NHS health records, is uniquely placed to lead this overdue and vital reform, working alongside global partners to deliver real change
Marcus Green, CEO of Action on Pre-eclampsia who has been one of the commissioners and co-authors of the report said: “This is potentially the most important report APEC have been involved in and there is the opportunity to change the way we look at women’s health through pregnancy for the good and for ever.
“Too many women die of pregnancy complications and if we can get this right in the UK we can lead the world in health improvements.”
