How the structural determinants of health inequities impact access to prescription medication for pregnant women in Australia: a narrative review.

Structural factors that contribute to health disparities (e.g., population-level policies, cultural norms) impact the distribution of resources in society and can affect medication accessibility; even in high-income countries like Australia. Industry practices and regulatory approaches (e.g., a conservative approach to testing medicines in pregnant women) influence the availability of safety and efficacy data necessary for the licencing and funding of prescription medications used during pregnancy. Consequently, pregnant women may be prescribed medications outside of regulatory or funder-approved indications, posing risks for both prescribers and pregnant women and potentially compromising equitable access to medications. This review examines the regulatory and legislative structural factors that contribute to health disparities and perpetuate the deeply ingrained social norm that we should be protecting pregnant women Australian Government Research Training Program Stipend from the University of Technology Sydney, National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Fellowship, Channel 7 Children's Research Foundation Fellowship (CRF-210323).

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© 2023 The Author(s).

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

E.C. reports grants from Ferring Pharmaceuticals, outside the submitted work; and a role as Vice President of Women's Healthcare Australasia. No other authors have any conflicts of interest to disclose.