OBJECTIVES: Application of medicines during pregnancy is a challenge of clinical pharmacology. We have analyzed priorities of physicians while choosing medications in the course of various diseases during pregnancy and adherence of pregnant women to the appointed treatment in Belarus. METHODS: It was prospective multi-center cross-sectional epidemiological research. We interviewed 1334 pregnant women and 619 physicians with diverse specialties in 6 regions of the country using a structured questionnaire from January to December 2009. All questionnaires have undergone statistical analysis. RESULTS: We found that 34.5% of the pregnant  women who took part in questioning have had chronic diseases. Medical products were prescribed for 91.7% (1223) women. A total of 23.8% of them have received more than 5 medical products. Vitamins and drugs with microcells (magnesium, iodine, iron and calcium), herbal drugs (valerian, leonurus and eleutherococcus) were in the lead in structure of prescription. 91,8% of the pregnant women took all prescribed medicines. 7.7% (103) women took antibacterial medicines following recommendations of the doctor. A total fo 365 women (27.3%) took medicines without prescription (625 cases). Non-prescribed drugs during pregnancy had mostly been recommended by family or friends (24.1% of women) and pharmacists in drugstores (24.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant women in Belarus are active consumers of medicines (vitamins, microcells, herbal drugs, bioadditives) themselves and with doctors’ prescription. The widespread use of medicines indicates an increased need for documentation and education about the safety of medicines in the course of pregnancy. Application of these medications creates additional financial burden (in addition to necessary medicines and products), and it does not necessarily positively influence health. Educational programs for pharmacists, doctors and pregnant women are necessary for improvement of drug administration.