Canadian Program Informs Mothers of Accutane, Other Drug Risks

Toronto, ONA unique program at a Canadian hospital provides information to expectant mothers about the risks posed by certain drugs, including Accutane side effects.

The program, called "Motherisk," started in 1985 with one person answering expectant mothers' questions at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children, and 25 years later the program has helped millions of families, according to the Toronto Star.

Dr. Gideon Koren, a toxicologist at the hospital, was responsible for creating the program, which was in part spurred by a drug that he said could cause serious birth defects.

"Accutane caused terrible birth defects, even more than thalidomide...and there was this growing sense that every drug may cause problems for the baby," he told the news source.

Koren recognized the need for a program to help mothers make the right decision when it comes to medication.


"I said 'I think this is a truly unmet need,' and we approached the [provincial] ministry of health and they agreed to fund it."

What started as a tiny operation has grown into a large program, according to Koren.

"Now we have about 70 people working on the different aspects of exposure during pregnancy and during breastfeeding," he told the news provider.