7 Pharmacovigilance and Pharmacogenetics

Question 1

Approximately what % of hospital admissions in the UK are related to ADRs (adverse drug reactions)?

Answer 1

6.5%

(cost= £530 million)

Question 2

What do we class as serious ADRs?

Answer 2

• Fatal
• Life-threatening
• Prolonged hospitalisation
• Long term disability
• Congenital abnormalities

Question 3

How are ADRs classified? Give an example of type A and type B drug reactions.

Answer 3

Question 4

Give some of the mechanisms of action for ADRs. (4)

Give 2 examples of syndromes which are solely due to therapeutic agents.

Answer 4

Question 5

What is the yellow card system for reporting ADRs?

Answer 5

Allows reporting for ADRs- info collated in government

EVERYONE should report ADRs

Question 6

What does upside down triangle symbol mean?

Answer 6

New use or new drug

Question 7

How can we aim to reduce ADRs?

Answer 7

Question 8

What is abacavir and what is carbamazepine?

Answer 8

Question 9

What is the relevance of genetic polymorphism with relation to drug reactions?

Answer 9

There isn’t one size fits all

Eg:

Question 10

What lessons were learnt from the thalidomide crisis?

Answer 10