Abstract Singapore remains vulnerable to the evolving international drug abuse situation. According to data from the Central Narcotics Bureau of Singapore, 3122 drug abusers were arrested in 2023, of whom 15% were female. We undertook a comprehensive literature search from inception to April 2021 on a range of illicit drugs, including the commonly abused drugs in Singapore—methamphetamine, heroin, new psychoactive substances, cannabis, cocaine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine. Our objective was to provide an overview of the effects of these drugs on maternal health, enabling healthcare providers to holistically manage maternal well-being. Notably, the extent of these effects depends on the type of drug involved, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Drug abuse in pregnancy is a complex medical problem that requires a comprehensive management strategy addressing physical, emotional and social aspects.
Abstract This Evidence-to-Recommendation (EtR) framework underpins the Agency for Care Effectiveness Clinical Guideline (ACG) for the management of non-severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in adults, providing the rationale and justification for the guideline recommendations. Pneumonia remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Singapore, accounting for 4.6% of hospitalisations and 23.0% of deaths in 2024. The ACG addresses management gaps that contribute to poor clinical outcomes, including diagnostic uncertainty, inappropriate prescribing and suboptimal treatment. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework was followed to develop five evidence-based recommendations covering the assessment, diagnosis and antibiotic management of CAP. This EtR framework summarises the factors that informed the direction and strength of the ACG recommendations, providing the rationale and decisions made by the Expert Group to aid clinicians in understanding and applying the recommendations in the management of CAP. The ACG can be found at https://go.gov.sg/acg-cap.
