European Medicines Agency

EMA Releases Guidelines on Inclusion of Pregnant and Breastfeeding Individuals in Clinical Trials

EMA Releases Guidelines on Inclusion of Pregnant and Breastfeeding Individuals in Clinical Trials

08/11/2025

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On June 4, 2025 the European Medicines Agency (EMA) posted a guideline titled: ICH E21 Guideline on inclusion of pregnant and breastfeeding individuals in clinical trials. Individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding make up a significant portion of the world’s population, however, the European Union (EU) reports that less than 0.4% of clinical trials currently submitted to the EU include pregnant people and only 0.1% include lactating individuals. This guideline highlights the importance of including these individuals as well as the steps that should be taken in order to ensure their safety during a trial.