Deepen insights into sex-specific differences5 The inclusion of sex-specific insights in publications, guidelines and product information presents a major opportunity for improved outcomes. Most medications today come with a leaflet or product insert that provides important information about a prescribed medication. Key details such as dosing information and adverse side effects are included to provide transparency for the patient and the physician. Consider this, however: for a pregnant Hispanic woman managing anxiety or a 49-kilogram postmenopausal Asian woman with high blood pressure, it cannot be presupposed that the safety, efficacy and dosing of a product in a white man is comparable. In these scenarios, the dosing recommendations, side-effect profiles and efficacy data may be completely misaligned with these women’s unique physiology. Asthma, for example, is a common respiratory condition that affects men and women at similar rates and is often treated with inhaler therapy, bronchodilators and corticosteroids. However, studies indicate that during acute exacerbations, this form of treatment is about 20% less effective in women than in men.50 To address these discrepancies, the SAGER (Sex and Gender Equity in Research) guidelines were introduced almost 10 years ago. They represent a comprehensive procedure for the reporting of sex and gender information in study design, data analyses, results and interpretation of findings, designed primarily to guide scientific journal authors but also useful for editors.51 Adding sex-specific insights, where available, to scientific publications, clinical guidelines and product package information, could provide women and their medical teams with more accurate and supportive information. These details are not superfluous; they are essential to proper treatments and positive outcomes. The following policy recommendations are intended to provide insights into sex-specific differences for both patients and physicians (Figure 3): –Update clinical guidelines to ensure safe and effective treatments for all patients. Revising clinical practice guidelines once information is available to account for sex-specific clinical presentations and social determinants of health, such as age, will help refine drug choice and dosing recommendations. Resources such as the Janusmed Sex and Gender database in Stockholm, Sweden, can provide critical insights, particularly for pregnant and lactating women, whose unique physiological and hormonal factors affect drug safety and efficacy.52 Strengthening these guidelines will lead to more personalized and ultimately better healthcare. –Ensure transparency in product information for safer, more effective treatments. Requiring timely updates to product package inserts and patient information leaflets with sex-specific data will help patients and providers make more informed decisions. Including details on human vs. animal evidence, dosing variations and potential differences in benefit-risk assessment ensures that women and their providers have access to the critical information needed for safer, more personalized care.5.1 Policy recommendations to deepen insights into sex-specific differences Prescription for Change: Policy Recommendations for Women’s Health Research 20

Prescription for Change 2025