Maternal mortality rates in the United States have been steadily increasing, with a 144% rise from the first decade of the 2000s to the second. This alarming trend has raised concerns among experts in the pharmaceutical industry about what can be done to protect mothers across all demographics. Health equity is a critical issue in addressing this challenge, especially considering that as of 2022, Black women are more than twice as likely to die from pregnancy-related conditions compared to women in other racial and ethnic groups. A. Metin Gülmezoglu, executive director at the nonprofit Concept Foundation, which leads the Accelerating Innovation for Mothers project, emphasizes the need for more research in this field.
Gülmezoglu points out that there have been very few new medicines registered for pregnancy-related conditions in the last few decades, leading to a slow pace of innovation. This lack of progress can be attributed to historical healthcare tragedies involving prescription drugs for pregnant women, such as thalidomide and diethylstilbestrol, which resulted in severe birth defects and cancer, respectively. These incidents instilled a fear and risk averseness in the industry, hindering new drug development for pregnant women.
The scarcity of research is particularly pronounced in low- and middle-income countries, where studies on pregnancy-related conditions are almost nonexistent. Additionally, the limited time period of pregnancy poses a challenge for developing long-term drug solutions. Gülmezoglu underscores the urgent need for new innovations to prevent, predict, and manage pregnancy complications, especially in developing countries where women face multiple health challenges.
Gender disparity further exacerbates the lack of solutions for pregnancy-related conditions, as women are often excluded from clinical trials once they become pregnant. This exclusion hinders the development of effective treatments tailored to women’s unique health needs. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted this issue when pregnant women were excluded from vaccine trials, leaving healthcare providers and patients to make decisions without adequate evidence.
Merck & Co.’s Merck for Mothers initiative stands out as a success story in addressing maternal mortality. Through research on heat-stable carbetocin, the initiative found promising results in preventing excessive bleeding after childbirth. Merck for Mothers has been instrumental in building evidence on maternal mortality trends and providing education and health solutions to women in various countries. Jacquelyn Caglia, director of learning, communications, and U.S. programs at Merck for Mothers, envisions a healthcare system that prioritizes maternal care alongside newborn care.
Programs like Safer Childbirth Cities aim to reduce disparities in maternal outcomes by supporting community organizations in high-risk areas. By addressing preventable deaths and disparities based on race, ethnicity, and geography, Merck for Mothers is working towards improving maternal health outcomes globally.
In conclusion, the pharmaceutical industry plays a crucial role in advancing maternal health by investing in research, innovation, and inclusive clinical trials. By prioritizing the unique health needs of pregnant women and addressing gender disparities, we can make significant strides in reducing maternal mortality rates and improving outcomes for mothers and their children.
