Adverse Drug Reactions at Primary Health Centres in Malaysia

Abstract

Background: Adverse drug reactions can lead to a substantial economic burden on patients and the country. This study aims to analyze the pattern of adverse drug reactions and assess the causality of the adverse events and severity of adverse drug reactions in primary health centers in Malaysia. Methodology: This retrospective study used case series analysis and data from six Malaysian primary health centers. The patients were analyzed for gender, age, class of drugs involved, organ system involved in the adverse reaction, severity using Hartwig’s severity assessment scale and causality using the Naranjo ADR probability scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: In 113 adverse drug reactions were reported. Cardiovascular drugs commonly caused adverse drug reaction (38%), followed by anti-infective agents (20%), skin and subcutaneous disorders were the common adverse drug reactions encountered (23%). The severity of the adverse reaction was level 2 in most patients (69. 9%). Adverse drug reaction was mostly found to be probable (48.7%), and 64% of the patients recovered from the adverse drug reaction. Conclusion: Cardiovascular drugs commonly cause adverse drug reactions. Level 2 and mild reactions were widely observed. The causality assessment was probable in most of the patients.