Washington A new study has found that the coatings of many common drugs and supplements contain harmful chemicals called phthalates, which are often found in plastics.

These chemicals have been linked to a variety of hormonal and reproductive problems in both rats and people.

Scientists can't yet say how levels of phthalates in pills might translate into health risks. But the scientists behind the work said, pregnant women and children might want to be cautious especially those who take regular doses of medicine for chronic conditions.

It may be impossible to completely avoid phthalates in medicines, though, because not all phthalate- containing drugs mention inactive ingredients on their packaging. And researchers don't want people to stop taking the pills they need.

Instead, the new work points to the need for both further research and possible action by regulating agencies.

" Since medications are an important component of health care, I would not ask the consumer to make these decisions," Discovery News quoted Russ Hauser, a reproductive physiologist at the Harvard School of Public Health and one of the authors of the new study as saying.

" This decision about whether phthalates should be used in medications should be made at the federal level by the F. D. A," he added.