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Can the Frequency and Risks of Fatal Adverse Drug Events Be Determined?
Author(s) -
Kelly William N.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
pharmacotherapy: the journal of human pharmacology and drug therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.227
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1875-9114
pISSN - 0277-0008
DOI - 10.1592/phco.21.6.521.34540
Subject(s) - adverse effect , drug , medicine , intensive care medicine , public health , adverse event reporting system , medical emergency , environmental health , risk analysis (engineering) , pharmacology , pathology
Death is the ultimate adverse drug event. Despite its importance, the frequency of fatal adverse drug events is unknown. Estimates in the United States are as high as 140,000/year, although this number is heavily disputed. Potential reasons and risks for fatal adverse drug events, as well as epidemiologic designs for studying this important public health issue, are discussed and issues are raised to promote further thought.