ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The abuse, misuse, and resultant adverse reactions of various drugs have been widespread due to lack of division of work of medicine and pharmacy in Korea. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to bring people to an awareness of the seriousness of drug abuse and misuse. METHODS: A multicenter, prospective, clinico-epidemiologic evaluation was made from patients with adverse drug reactions who visited 126 dermatologic departments in university hospitals(21) or private clinics(105) nationwide from July 1st to July 31st, 1999. RESULTS: The prevalence of adverse drug reaction was 10.4%, among them 47.9% of the patients had adverse cutaneous effects from external use of topical steroids and 24.1% of the patients had contact dermatitis from external use of various topical agents. The rate(66.3%) of misuse of topical steroids was higher than that(33.7%) of abuse of the drugs. 79.8% of patients had obtained drugs without an accurate diagnosis and prescription from their doctors. Regarding the potency of topical steroids, it was revealed that the lowest potency drugs also caused adverse effects. CONCLUSION: The strict grouping of drugs as prescription drugs or over-the-counter drugs based on drug safety is the key factor to avoid the abuse and misuse of drugs, and to protect the public health from harmful drug effects.