Implementing Pharmacovigilance at Bathalapalli Hospital to Monitor Adverse Drug Reactions and Improve Patient Care

Abstract

Introduction: Although adverse drug reaction (ADR) monitoring is widely known, it is not practised in underdeveloped nations due to a lack of awareness and the absence of a central coordinating agency. The recent implementation of the National Pharmacovigilance Programme has encouraged ADR monitoring in some centres. Methods: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sternness of described ADRs, the additional financial costs associated with ADRs, and the present load of ADRs at a Rural Development Trust (RDT) Hospital in Bathalapalli, Andhra Pradesh, India. The study was carried out over 26 months of inpatient admissions to the medical wards. Results: 37 of the 74 adverse drug events (ADEs) that were reported by 56 individuals were indeed ADRs. There were 521 patients admitted, and 9.7% of those ADRs occurred during hospitalisation. Males (56%) had ADRs more often than females (44%). During the hospital stay, no discernible difference between males and females was seen. ADR rates were 19.0%, 20.0%, and 61.0 % for paediatric, geriatric, and adult patients, respectively. Based on ADR severity, more than half of the reported reactions (76.49%) were in the moderate category, followed by mild (13.51%) and severe (10%) categories. 39.6% of patients recovered from the incident. The majority of the responses showed that the ADRs were unexpected and possibly avoidable. Conclusion: According to the study’s findings, 90% of ADRs might be prevented, saving the health system money and decreasing patient expenditures. To prevent unknown and severe ADRs, new medications should be continuously monitored.