DETECTING MEDICATION ERRORS FROM ADVERSE DRUG REACTION MONITORING CENTRE DATABASE – A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS

Introduction: Despite the traditional focus on adverse drug reactions, pharmacovigilance centres have recently been identified as a potentially rich and important source of medication error (ME) data. The aim of this study is to identify ME from adverse drug reaction (ADRs) reports. Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis of ADR reports notified to adverse drug reaction monitoring centre of tertiary care teaching hospital and medical college during January 2014 to December 2016 was done. Those reports which had inappropriate information were excluded. Result: A total of 651 reports met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed, The mean age and weight of patients experienced ADRs due to ME was 32.6 ± 16.1 years and 51.9 ± 17.3 kg respectively, among which 35 men and 39 women. Regarding type of medication errors, most of them were related to monitoring errors (56.2%) followed by prescribing errors (37.5%). Considering categories of ME, 73.4% was into category E which was related to temporary harm to the patient. Majority of ADR reports were mild in nature and produce mild temporary harm to the patients. Conclusion: Explore new role of pharmacovigilance centre to identify medication error which is preventable and indirectly improve quality of health care system and ensuring patient safety.