ENTIS challenge to the EMA PRAC recommendations on ondansetron use in pregnancy

In July 2019, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) released an updated, comprehensive assessment report on the use of ondansetron in the first trimester. The ensuing Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) was updated in November 2019 with important changes to section on “Fertility, pregnancy and lactation.” The SmPC now states that ondansetron should not be used in the first trimester of pregnancy. ENTIS, The European Network of Teratology Information Services, believes that the implementation of this regulatory step-which has important clinical consequences-is insufficiently substantiated and is not serving the interest of pregnant women with severe nausea and vomiting. Members of the ENTIS Scientific Committee have published an expert opinion article discussing the underlying evidence and arguing the case against the EMA decision. More information can be found here.