Adverse Drug Reactions in Norway: A Systematic Review

Use and perception of risk: traditional medicines of Pakistani immigrants in Norway

BACKGROUND

Pakistani immigrants are the largest non-Western ethnic minority group in Norway. Traditional medicines (TM) are extensively used in Pakistan, and studies show that ethnic minorities also use them to recover from illness after migration to the Western world. This study aims to explore Pakistani immigrants' experiences and perceptions of risk regarding the use of TM to treat illnesses.

METHODS

A qualitative study was conducted through in-depth interviews (n = 24) with Pakistani immigrants in Norway from February to March 2023. Participants were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling methods. The data was analyzed using Braun & Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis (RTA) using Nvivo.

RESULTS

RTA revealed three main themes and six sub-themes. The main themes were: (a) House of knowledge, (b) Choosing the best possible approach for health restoration, and (c) Adverse effects of TM used. A total of 96 different TM were identified, including herbs, food items, animal products, minerals, herbal products, and ritual remedies. All participants used TM to restore health in acute and chronic diseases, and many used TM along with conventional medicines. The participants' mothers were the primary source of knowledge about TM, and they passed it on to the next generation. They also frequently used religious knowledge to recover from illness. Although TM is considered safe because of its natural origin, some participants experienced adverse effects of TM, but none of them reported it to the health authorities.

CONCLUSION

The study helps to understand the experiences and perceptions of risk of Pakistani immigrants in Norway regarding traditional practices for treating health complaints. Public health policies to improve the health of these immigrants should consider the importance of TM in their lives. Further research is necessary to explore the safety and toxicity of those TM that are common in Pakistani households in Norway.

Under-Reporting of Adverse Drug Reactions in Finland and Healthcare Professionals’ Perspectives on How to Improve Reporting

Background: Adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting has been studied relatively extensively in all the Nordic countries besides Finland, but no definitive solution to decrease under-reporting has been found. Despite many similarities in reporting, the most notable difference compared to other Nordic countries is that ADR reporting is completely voluntary in Finland. Purpose: The purpose was to examine if voluntary reporting influences healthcare professional (HCP) ADR reporting, why HCPs do not report all suspected ADRs, how could reporting be enhanced, and do we need to develop the process for collecting ADR follow-up (F/U) information from HCPs. Methods: An open and anonymous questionnaire was developed and made available online at the e-form portal of the University of Helsinki. Trade and area unions distributed the questionnaire to their respective member physicians, nurses, and pharmacists. Two independent coders performed the content analysis of answers to open-ended questions. Results: A total of 149 responses was received. Two fifths (38%) of the HCPs confirmed that they had not always reported suspected ADRs. The main reason for not reporting was that the ADR was already known. HCPs who had no previous ADR reporting experience did not report ADRs mainly because it was not clear how to report them. Seriousness (chosen by 76%) and unexpectedness of the reaction (chosen by 64%) were the most actuating factors in reporting an ADR. Only 52% of the HCPs had received ADR reporting training and only 16% of the HCPs felt that they had enough information about reporting. Most HCPs felt that ADR F/U requests are justified, and these requests did not affect their ADR reporting willingness. Conclusions: As in other Nordic countries, ADR under-reporting occurs also in Finland despite differences in reporting guidance. ADR reporting rate could be enhanced by organizing recurring training, information campaigns, and including reporting reminders to the patient information systems that HCPs use. Training should primarily aid in recognizing ADRs, educate in how to report, and promote a reporting culture among HCPs.

Improving the data quality of spontaneous ADR reports: a practical example from Malta

BACKGROUND

Adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting rates and high-quality data within case summary reports are crucial to detect emerging safety concerns and implement regulatory action. In this study we aimed to improve the data quality and reporting rates of ADR reports in Malta through a series of national activities.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Between April 2018 and July 2019, we carried out the following activities: i) a review of wholesale dealers ADR reporting forms; ii) a series of educational workshops targeting physicians and pharmacists; iii) a quality system audit of the Authority's ADR management process.

RESULTS

Twelve wholesaler dealer forms were reviewed, and 155 improvements were identified. Incident reporting forms modified to capture ADRs had the most opportunities for improvement. Five workshops were organized and in total 62 physicians and 22 pharmacists attended. Although feedback from participants was positive, in our case, an increase in reporting was not observed following the workshops. The quality system audit resulted in the introduction of the 'four-eye principle' to the Authority's ADR management process.

CONCLUSIONS

The implementation of such activities is expected to contribute to the overall pharmacovigilance systems in Malta and our experience could benefit other entities involved in spontaneous ADR reporting.

Ethical Tenets of PRN Medicines Management in Healthcare Settings: A Clinical Perspective

Prescription and administration of pro re nata (PRN) medications has remained a poorly discussed area of the international literature regarding ethical tenets influencing this type of medication practice. In this commentary, ethical tenets of PRN medicines management from the clinical perspective based on available international literature and published research have been discussed. Three categories were developed by the authors for summarising review findings as follows: 'benefiting the patient', 'making well-informed decision', and 'follow up assessment' as pre-intervention, through-intervention, and post-intervention aspects, respectively. PRN medicines management is mainly intertwined with the ethical tenets of beneficence, nonmaleficence, dignity, autonomy, justice, informed consent, and error disclosure. It is a dynamic process and needs close collaboration between healthcare professionals especially nurses and patients to prevent unethical practice.

Improving drug prescription in general practice using a novel quality improvement model

INTRODUCTION

Quality improvement (QI) clusters have been established in many countries to improve healthcare using the Breakthrough Series' collaboration model. We investigated the effect of a novel QI approach based on this model of performed medication reviews and drug prescription in a Norwegian municipality.

METHODS

All 27 General Practitioners (GPs) in a mid-size Norwegian municipality were invited to join the intervention, consisting of three peer group meetings during a period of 7-8 months. Participants learned practical QI skills by planning and following up QI projects within drug prescription practice. Evaluation forms were used to assess participants' self-rated improvement, reported medication review reimbursement codes (MRRCs) were used as a process measure, and defined daily doses (DDDs) of potentially inappropriate drugs (PIDs) dispensed to patients aged 65 years or older were used as outcome measures.

RESULTS

Of the invited GPs, 25 completed the intervention. Of these, 76% self-reported improved QI skills and 67% reported improved drug prescription practices. Statistical process control revealed a non-random increase in the number of MRRCs lasting at least 7 months after intervention end. Compared with national average data, we found a significant reduction in dispensed DDDs in the intervention municipality for benzodiazepine derivates, benzodiazepine-related drugs, drugs for urinary frequency and incontinence and non-steroid anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic medications.

CONCLUSION

Intervention increased the frequency of medication reviews, resulting in fewer potentially inappropriate prescriptions. Moreover, there was self-reported improvement in QI skills in general, which may affect other practice areas as well. Intervention required relatively little absence from clinical practice compared with more traditional QI interventions and could, therefore, be easier to implement.KEY POINTThe current study investigated to what extent a novel model based on the Breakthrough Series' collaborative model affects GP improvement skills in general practice and changes their drug prescription.KEY FINDINGSMost participants reported better improvement skills and improved prescription practice.The number of dispensed potentially inappropriate drugs decreased significantly in the intervention municipality compared with the national average.The model seemed to lead to sustained changes after the end of the intervention.

General characteristics, economic burden, causative drugs and medical errors associated with medical damage litigation involving severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions in China

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

To investigate the general characteristics, economic burden, causative drugs and medical errors associated with litigation involving severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions (SCADRs) in China, with the aims of improving rational medication use and reducing the extent of damage from SCADRs.

METHODS

This study analysed 150 lawsuit judgements involving SCADRs from 2005 to 2019, collected from China Judgments Online.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

In total, 50% of lawsuits stemmed from SCADRs occurring in general hospitals. The average time elapsed from the date of occurrence of the SCADRs to the end of litigation procedures was 1055 days. Of the patients involved, 51% were female and more than two thirds (69%) were under 60 years old. The most common outcome of SCADRs was death (39%), followed by disabilities (30%). The average responsibility of the medical provider was 48 ± 29%. The average amount of compensation was $43 424. Of the cases studied, 51% of SCADRs were Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis, which together accounted for 75% of cases with known clinical subtype. The overall average economic burden of SCADRs was $99 178, of which indirect costs made up the largest proportion (more than 60%). The most common causative drug groups were antimicrobial drugs (49%), Chinese patent medicine and Chinese herbal medicine (17%), and antipyretic analgesics (16%). Finally, 61% of medical errors were found to stem from violation of duty of care, 20% from violation of informed consent and 18% from violations related to the medical record writing and management system.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

Severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions not only severely affect patient survival and quality of life, but also impose a heavy economic burden in terms of health care and societal costs. Medical providers should be better educated on strategies to reduce risk to patients and establish mechanisms of risk sharing and management.

Where do we Stand after Decades of Studying Human Cytomegalovirus?

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), a linear double-stranded DNA betaherpesvirus belonging to the family of Herpesviridae, is characterized by widespread seroprevalence, ranging between 56% and 94%, strictly dependent on the socioeconomic background of the country being considered. Typically, HCMV causes asymptomatic infection in the immunocompetent population, while in immunocompromised individuals or when transmitted vertically from the mother to the fetus it leads to systemic disease with severe complications and high mortality rate. Following primary infection, HCMV establishes a state of latency primarily in myeloid cells, from which it can be reactivated by various inflammatory stimuli. Several studies have shown that HCMV, despite being a DNA virus, is highly prone to genetic variability that strongly influences its replication and dissemination rates as well as cellular tropism. In this scenario, the few currently available drugs for the treatment of HCMV infections are characterized by high toxicity, poor oral bioavailability, and emerging resistance. Here, we review past and current literature that has greatly advanced our understanding of the biology and genetics of HCMV, stressing the urgent need for innovative and safe anti-HCMV therapies and effective vaccines to treat and prevent HCMV infections, particularly in vulnerable populations.