Pattern of adverse drug reactions reported at zonal pharmacovigilance centre, Ilorin, North-Central Nigeria: A 15 year review

Abstract

Background: Drugs have the potential to cause adverse drug reactions (ADRs). ADRs causes a great burden on healthcare system in terms of increasing morbidity and mortality with significant economic consequences. ADRs requires active monitoring and in sub-Saharan Africa, ADRs are either not reported or under reported which poses a great challenge. This study was conducted with the aim of understanding the pattern and occurrence of ADRs, the sociodemographic distribution, organ system affected, implicated drugs for the ADRs and clinical outcome.
Method: This study is a 15year retrospective study that analyzed the ADRs reported to Zonal Pharmacovigilance Center, Ilorin, North-central Nigeria. A total of 280 patients reported 301 adverse drug reactions between 2005 and 2020 to the ZPC and the ADRs reported were analyzed.
Results: The age group most commonly affected by ADRs was 31-40 years with affectation of both gender. The organ system mostly affected was the skin and patients presented with pruritus and skin rash. The most common suspected drug for the ADRs were antiretroviral drugs. Most of the ADRs were mild and most patients recovered fully.
Conclusions: ADRs were under-reported in this study. Most were mild in nature and affected patients recovered fully. It is important to understand the pattern and occurrence of ADRs for the safety of patients and to reduce it burden on healthcare system. This can be achieved by effective monitoring and sensitization of health care workers.