Why Learn about Adverse Drug Reactions (ADR)?

Institute of Medicine, National Academy Press, 2000

Lazarou J et al. JAMA 1998;279(15):1200–1205

Gurwitz JH et al. Am J Med 2000;109(2):87–94

• Over 2 MILLION serious ADRs yearly

• 100,000 DEATHS yearly

• ADRs 4th leading cause of death ahead of pulmonary disease, diabetes, AIDS, pneumonia, accidents and automobile deaths

• Ambulatory patients ADR rate—unknown

• Nursing home patients ADR rate— 350,000 yearly