Replies to Clarifying Adverse Drug Events: A Clinician's Guide to Terminology, Documentation, and Reporting — Ann Intern Med

Improving Patient Care: Clarifying Adverse Drug Events: A Clinician's Guide to Terminology, Documentation, and Reporting

Jonathan R. Nebeker,
Paul Barach,
and Matthew H. Samore

Ann Intern Med May 18, 2004 140:795-801

Farewell to ARMs
- Sonal singh, MD
Unity health System,Rochester,NY14626
Dr Nebeker and his colleagues attempt to clarify the confusion surrounding the terminology of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and adverse drug events is commendable but raises several interesting questions (1).

Firstly, the authors fail to mention whether their proposed terminology of adverse drug events extends to adverse events occurring with herbal medications and supplements, which have become increasingly common today.

Secondly, the term “drug” excludes contaminants (such as in herbal medicines) or inactive substances in a formulation (2). So should we be talking about adverse reactions to medicines, ARMs rather than adverse drug reactions (ADRs) (2)?

Clarifying the terminology surrounding adverse events will enable both clinicians and patients bid farewell to ARMs.

REFERENCES

1. Nebeker, J. R., P. Barach, et al. (2004). "Clarifying Adverse Drug Events: A Clinician's Guide to Terminology, Documentation, and Reporting." Ann Intern Med 140(10): 795-801.

2. Aronson, J. (2004). "HARMful reactions." BMJ 328(7449): 1173-.

Conflict of Interest:

None declared

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Published May 24, 2004

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