Recurrence of adverse drug reactions following inappropriate re-prescription: better documentation, availability of information and monitoring are needed.
Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are a common, and often preventable, cause of hospital admission, especially in the elderly, and can occur during hospitalization. In this current opinion article, we present three cases of recurrence of a serious ADR due to re-prescription of a withdrawn medication that highlight the need for a system to prevent the undesirable re-prescription of medications withdrawn because of an ADR. In addition, we describe an electronic system that could help prevent undesirable re-prescription following an ADR. Such a system should document ADRs systematically at the patient level, make this information available to relevant healthcare providers and the patient, and flag re-prescription of the offending drug. The effectiveness and cost effectiveness of such a system would need to be determined.
van der Linden
Carolien M J
CM
Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, the Netherlands. carolien.vd.linden@cze.nl
Jansen
Paul A F
PA
van Marum
Rob J
RJ
Grouls
René J E
RJ
Korsten
Erik H M
EH
Egberts
Antoine C G
AC
D016907:Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems / Q000592:standards; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008508:Medication Errors; D008875:Middle Aged; D055502:Secondary Prevention
D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide; D004008:Diclofenac