Surveillance of adverse drug reactions at an adverse drug reaction monitoring centre in Central India: a 7-year surveillance study

Objectives To analyse and present the occurrence and severity of spontaneous adverse drug reaction (ADR) reports prospectively registered at an ADR monitoring centre (AMC) in Central India. Setting and data The survey was conducted between 2013 and 2019 at an ADR Monitoring Centre in Central India. ADRs were recorded using the standard 'Suspected ADR Reporting form'. Outcome measures The causality of the ADRs were categorised using the WHO causality assessment scale to assess the relationship between a drug and the occurrence of an ADR. Results Totally 1980 spontaneous ADRs were reported involving 960 patients and 1316 drugs prescriptions. The occurrence of ADRs was common among male patients (64%) and patients of age between 19 and 65 years (81%). Antimicrobials caused 29% ADRs, followed by drugs of antiretroviral therapy (19%). Zidovudine caused most ADRs (88%) followed by ethambutol and ciprofloxacin. The ADRs of skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders (28%) were most common among all system organ classes followed by gastrointestinal systems (18%). Four per cent of all reported ADRs were severe. A peak of ADR reports was attained in 2016 with 224 reports, which decreased to 127 in 2019. Conclusion A high number of ADRs caused by antimicrobials is an alarming situation, which adds up to antimicrobial resistance. Judicious use of antimicrobials is yet again proven as need of the hour. Under-reporting of ADRs is evident in our study and is a major factor for the delay in the withdrawal of drugs responsible for causing ADRs. Interventions in terms of training and feedback are suggested to encourage and improve ADR reporting.