Antenatal pharmacy clinics provide advice for women and GPs

GPs can refer women who are planning a pregnancy, pregnant or breastfeeding to Antenatal Pharmacy Clinics at Redcliffe and Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospitals.

An antenatal pharmacist can provide evidence based individualised advice to women and their GPs regarding:

• safety and efficacy of prescribed and over the counter medications during pregnancy and breastfeeding
• risks and benefits of medications used to manage chronic medical conditions such as epilepsy, inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, thyroid disease, multiple sclerosis, cystic fibrosis, diabetes mellitus, gestational diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperemesis gravidarum and mental health conditions
• treatment of common conditions during pregnancy such as nausea and vomiting, indigestion, constipation and iron deficiency
• supplements including folic acid, iodine, iron, calcium and Vitamin D
• smoking cessation
• immunisations
• analgesia and pain relief options during pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding.

Women who are planning a pregnancy, or pregnant and planning to birth at Redcliffe or Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospitals are eligible for the service.

Redcliffe Hospital

Referrals can be made to Redcliffe Hospital Antenatal Pharmacy Clinic via redh-pharmacy@health.qld.gov.au or fax 07 3883 7908. Pharmacist advice also available for GPs Monday – Friday by email redh-pharmacy@health.qld.gov.au or phone 07 3883 7160.

Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital

Refer to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Antenatal Pharmacy Clinic via fax 07 3646 3544. Pharmacist advice is available for GPs Monday – Friday by phone 07 3647 0810.

GPs can also obtain advice about the use of medicines in pregnancy from the Queensland Medicines Advice and Information Service via QMAIS@health.qld.gov.au or 07 3646 7098.

More information on antenatal care:

• Prescription medicine and pregnancy: http://bit.ly/DoH_prescribing
• Dietary supplementation and pregnancy: http://bit.ly/DoH_guidelines
• Mental health care and pregnancy: http://bit.ly/COPE_mentalhealthcare