E-drug: Consumer reports on medicines (cont)
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- Next weekend (29 September - 1 October) there will be a conference on
Consumer Reports on Medicines in Sigtuna, Sweden.
To have a virtual input in the discussion, maybe E-druggers would
like to contemplate the following questions:
- How could consumers contribute to greater drug safety in your country?
In a study in Zimbabwe where GPs and private pharmacists were asked to
report suspected ADRs, the pharmacists highlighted that one problem was
that the patients did not know that they should tell anyone about any
adverse effects with their medicines. They claimed patients either just
accepted it or stopped the drug unilaterally or went to their doctor if it
was serious. ADR reporting (in voluntary schemes at least) would be
increased if consumers were aware that there is a value in telling health
workers about untoward effects with medicines (and perhaps pressuring
them to report it to the national centre). The question is what is
the most
efficient way to achieve this and whether it is a priority.
Regards
Douglas Ball
Drug & Toxicology Information Service
Dept of Pharmacy
University of Zimbabwe
PO Box A178 Avondale
Harare, Zimbabwe
Tel: 263-4-790233
Fax: 263-4-790233 or 795019
e-mail: dball@healthnet.zw
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