Adverse Drug Reactions

Question 1

Adverse drug reactions are the
1st/2nd/3rd/4th/5th
leading cause of death

Answer 1

4th

Question 2

State what is meant by an ‘adverse drug reaction’?

Answer 2

Any response to a drug which is noxious, unintended and occurs at dosses used in man for prophylaxis, diagnosis or treatment

Question 3

Discuss the frequency of adverse drug reactions.

Answer 3

• 10 - 20% of all inpatients suffer ADR’s
• 0.25% - 3% of all hospital deaths due to ADR’s
• 5000 - 10000 deaths per year
• 6.5% of all hospital admissions due to ADR’s