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Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) Reporting

The hospital Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Program involves a multidisciplinary team, coordinated by the pharmacy department. The team aims to identify any adverse drug events occurring within the hospital. A copy of each ADR report is kept in the Pharmacy Department. A second copy is also forwarded to ADRAC (Adverse Drug Reaction Advisory Committee).

What is an ADR?

An ADR is any undesired or unintended effect of drug treatment.

Examples of reported ADRs

• Common reports
  • rash caused by amoxycillin
  • red face, fever secondary to vancomycin
  • serum sickness reactions to cefaclor
• Uncommon reports
  • hair loss due to low molecular weight heparin
  • neuroleptic malignant syndrome with risperidone

Detection of ADRs requires the vigilance of all health care professionals.

What to report

ADRAC encourages reporting of ALL suspected ADRs to drugs and other medicinal substances. It is also important to report ADRs to complementary medicines.

Reporting seemingly insignificant or common ADRs is useful and may highlight a widespread prescribing problem and assist in determining the incidence of ADRs.

How to report an ADR in the hospital

A hospital ADR report form should be completed by the person reporting the reaction and sent to the pharmacy. The form is also available on all wards, from your ward pharmacist or from the Pharmacy Department

Review of ADRs

• Data from all reports are kept centrally in the pharmacy.
• The form is reviewed by a pharmacist to ensure that all relevant information is recorded on both the form and in the medical record.
• The report is then reviewed by the ADR committee.
• The Pharmacy Department sends a copy of the report to ADRAC.
• Patient follow-up is organised by Dr Noel Cranswick, Clinical Pharmacologist, and if appropriate, a referral is made to the Allergy clinic.
• A credit card sized ADR alert card is sent to the patient.

The rewards are plenty !!!

• Everyone who reports an ADR is sent a chocolate, and a pen.
• Patients, the hospital and ADRAC also benefit as more complete records are maintained if ADRs are fully documented.

The generous sponsorship of SmithKline Beecham helps support the ADR Reporting Program.

Click here for Adverse Drug Reaction report. Print and complete, then return to Pharmacy Department via internal mail or fax (9349 1261).