ABSTRACT
We have managed information on adverse drug reaction using the clinical records to obtain data from within our hospital and using Medicine-Pocketbooks to obtain data outside our hospital. Our system for management of side effect information does not require the development of a separate specialized system. Our method of collecting side effect information was changed in April 2007. Therefore, we evaluated our present method of collecting information on side effects by comparing the method used before the change with the new method. The amount of side effect information collected has clearly increased since April 2007. Although the amount of data collected directly from doctors has increased eight-fold, the amount collected from other data sources has hardly changed. Side effect symptoms have hardly changed, with skin symptoms being the most frequent side effect. Suspected drugs have also hardly changed, with antibiotics being the most frequently suspected drugs. In addition, we conducted questionnaire surveys on the use of Medicine-Pocketbooks by patients who registered side effect information at our hospital to determine whether Medicine-Pocketbooks were being used effectively as a tool for the management of side effect information. Among patients who registered their side effect information at our hospital, 76% also presented their Medicine-Pocketbooks to other medical institutions. In addition, all patients received a change in prescription or were questioned about their side effect information when they presented their Medicine-Pocketbooks. Our present method of collecting side effect information is considered appropriate since there was an increase in the amount of side effect information collected from doctors. Medicine-Pocketbooks have also been effectively used as a tool for managing side effect information.