Pharmacists' role in detection and evaluation of adverse drug reactions: Developing proactive systems for pharmacosurveillance

Abstract

Purpose: To identify current challenges in detection of medication-related symptoms, and review technology-based opportunities to increase the patient-centeredness of postmarketing pharmacosurveillance to promote more accountable, safer, patient-friendly, and equitable medication prescribing.

Summary: Pharmacists have an important role to play in detection and evaluation of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). The pharmacist's role in medication management should extend beyond simply dispensing drugs, and this article delineates the rationale and proactive approaches for pharmacist detection and assessment of ADRs. We describe a stepwise approach for assessment, best practices, and lessons learned from a pharmacist-led randomized trial, the CEDAR (Calling for Detection of Adverse Drug Reactions) project.

Conclusion: Health systems need to be redesigned to more fully utilize health information technologies and pharmacists in detecting and responding to ADRs.

Keywords: adverse drug reaction; electronic health records; outcome assessments; patient-centered care; pharmacists; product surveillance.