Pharmacy Daily | ASMI pregnancy response

THE Australian Self-Medication Industry says a newspaper article this week about the use of vitamin supplements during pregnancy sends a “confusing message” to expectant mothers. The article published in some Fairfax newspapers quoted nutritionist Dr Maria Makrides from the University of Adelaide, saying there was little scientific evidence to support the taking of iron or iodine supplements during or ahead of pregnancy. ASMI spokesperson Ruth Kendon said there were valid reasons for using supplements in pregnancy that are supported by the “latest official advice and research. “The suggestion that all supplementation is unwarranted is in direct contradiction to the advice of the National Health and Medical Research Council provided in January this year,” she said. “That advice clearly makes the point that pregnant and breastfeeding women are not getting sufficient iodine.” Concerns have also been raised by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare about deficiencies in iodine, folate and vitamin D. “The best available advice from all official sources suggests that many women are deficient in iron and iodine, and that the use of nutritional supplements is necessary to rectify this imbalance in these cases,” said Ms Kendon.

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