In late 2017 compulsory pictograms were introduced in France for boxes of teratogenic or fetotoxic drugs. Their meaning must be explained to patients, in particular at the time of dispensing. It is also worth reminding patients that even drugs without a warning pictogram should be considered dangerous during pregnancy until proven otherwise. Since 17 October 2017, in France, if a drug's summary of product characteristics (SPC) mentions a riskofteratogenicityorfetotoxicity, a pictogram to inform users of these risks must be displayed on the box (1,2).The aim of this visual warning is to raise awareness among patients and healthcare professionals of the risks some drugs pose in pregnancy. Origins in the activism of a support group for victims of valproic acid. France's national drug regulatory agency (ANSM) had already introduced a pictogram for medicines containing valproic acid or its derivatives valproate semisodium and valpromide, with effect from 1 March 2017 (3). These drugs are teratogenic: in utero exposure can provoke congenital defects and disorders of psycho-motor development (4).This measure came about through the campaigning of a French support group (Apesac) for the parents of children affected by fetal anticonvulsant syndrome. French drug regulations have been amended to impose this measure on all drugs whose SPC mentions a teratogenic or fetotoxic effect (1,2).
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