HDETECTION, PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS IN AN URBAN QUATERNARY CARE HOSPITAL

Pharmacovigilance also known as drug safety is defined as the science and activities relating to the collection, detection, assessment, monitoring and prevention of adverse effects or any other drug-related problems. The occurrence of adverse drug reaction is a price the patient pays for the benefits produced by modern medicine. Adverse drug reactions can result in diminished quality of life, increased health care costs, more frequent physician visits, hospitalizations, and even death. This is a retrospective and prospective observational study, conducted at a quaternary care hospital for a period of six months. The main aims of this study is to assess the incidence, pattern of ADRs, causality, offending drugs, monitoring and documenting suspected ADR(s) and to prevent the occurrence. Each reported ADR was assessed for its causality by using Naranjo’s scale. The severity of each reported ADR was assessed using modified Hartwig & Siegel scale and preventability of ADRs by modified Schumock & Thornton scale. Study strongly suggests there is a greater need for streamlining of hospital based ADR reporting as well as monitoring system to create awareness, and promote more accurate reporting of ADR(s) among healthcare professionals.