Clarifying WHO position on misoprostol use in the community to reduce maternal death
Statement
This document clarifies WHO's position on misoprostol use in the community to reduce maternal death. In July 2009, at the request of Member States for clear guidance in the presence of conflicting information on the use of misoprostol for postpartum haemorrhage prevention and management, WHO published a statement, clarifying its position. A recent Lancet article refers to this publication to claim that WHO has changed its position from what was published in the guidelines. This is incorrect. WHO does not recommend antenatal distribution for future use (after childbirth) because its potential benefits and harms are currently unknown and recommends proper research to evaluate its role in reducing maternal deaths.