Researchers from the University of Liverpool and Bangor University have observed an increase in medicine-related harm leading to hospitaladmission. The study associated the trend with a rise in multiple long-term health conditions (multimorbidity)and with the simultaneous use of several medicines (polypharmacy).

The study is an update to the original article published in BMJ in 2004. At that time, 6.5% of hospitalizations were found to be associated with an adverse drug reaction. The updated version of this study has identified a significant increase of 16.5% in hospitalization caused by, or complicated by, an adverse drug reaction to a medicine. A recent National Health Survey (NHS) report highlighted that 10% of the prescriptions (approximately 110 million) should not have been issued.

Dr. Rostam Osanlou, a Specialist Registrar in Clinical Pharmacology, stated that adverse drug reactions are quite expensive for individuals and healthcare systems. Approximately 2 billion pounds are spent annually on ADRs, he further stated. Professor MunirPirmohamed stated that the aim of the updated study conducted by his team was to highlight the burden placed on patients and the NHS by ADRs. He also added that to prevent this situation, a multi-layered approach ranging from education to the use of appropriate technologies is needed. 

(Source: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/cases-of-medicine-related-harm-leading-to-hospital-admission-rising-study/92762769 )