#United States #Houston #Adverse Drug Events #American Society of Pharmacovigilance #Third Cause

America's Growing Crisis: Adverse Drug Events Become the Third Leading Cause of Death

In recent findings, the American Society of Pharmacovigilance (ASP) has highlighted a severe public health issue that is often overlooked. What was once labeled as the fourth leading cause of death has now tragically surged to become the third leading cause of mortality in the United States: adverse drug events (ADEs). In 2021, the ASP initiated the Fourth Cause Campaign, aiming to shed light on this critical issue, but new data now indicates that the situation has substantially deteriorated since then.

Understanding the Statistics

The analysis performed by ASP reveals that over 250,000 deaths each year in the U.S. can be attributed to ADEs, surpassing notable medical conditions such as stroke and respiratory diseases. This alarming statistic stems from several crucial factors surrounding medication administration and monitoring.

1. Underreporting of Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs): A staggering 94% of ADRs go unreported by healthcare professionals, delaying the identification of potential safety signals. This underreporting hampers the ability to accurately assess and mitigate the risks associated with medications.

2. Diagnostic Errors: Misdiagnoses contribute to an estimated 40,000 to 80,000 hospital fatalities annually, amplifying the mortality linked to medical errors, of which ADEs constitute a significant part.

3. Medication Errors: Mistakes in prescribing, dispensing, or administering medications create adverse outcomes that further elevate the risk of mortality associated with treatments.

The Call to Action

In response to this severe public health crisis, ASP is rebranding its initiative to the Third Cause Campaign, emphasizing an urgent need for action to curtail unnecessary medication-related harm. Benjamin Brown, Executive Director of ASP, stated, "We are no longer fighting to stop the fourth leading cause of death—this crisis has escalated to the third." He stressed the importance of proactive measures to combat the rising deaths attributed to ADEs.

Sara Rogers, ASP President, echoed this sentiment, urging immediate action as the statistics could worsen further if left unaddressed. "We cannot afford to stand by while medication-related harm continues to grow. It’s time for decisive action," she emphasized.

The National Action Plan

To address the escalating crisis of ADEs, ASP is spearheading a national action plan comprising several key initiatives:

• - Creation of a National Medication Safety Task Force: This task force will unite healthcare leaders, policymakers, and patient safety advocates to advocate for enhanced regulations, improved prescribing practices, and accountability measures.

• - Expanded Pharmacovigilance and Medication Safety Training: ASP plans to launch a national initiative aimed at incorporating ADE prevention strategies into the education of healthcare professionals, thereby equipping medical, pharmacy, and nursing graduates with the knowledge needed to recognize and mitigate risks related to medications.

• - Advancing Pharmacogenomics for Precision Medicine: Policies will be promoted to expand access to genetic testing, enabling healthcare providers to tailor medications to individual patient needs and enhance clinical decision-making.

• - Patient Empowerment via the #ThirdCause Campaign: ASP is mobilizing the public to actively participate in promoting medication safety, encouraging them to report ADEs and advocate for responsible prescribing practices.

Congressman Eric Swalwell has chimed in on the initiative, noting the potential benefits of genetic testing in personalizing treatment plans. He asserted, "By factoring genetic testing into medical prescription decisions, we can enhance our ability to treat a variety of conditions while simultaneously decreasing the incidence of adverse drug events."

Conclusion

The situation surrounding ADEs in America is critical, with lives hanging in the balance. ASP urges not only healthcare professionals but also policymakers and the general public to advocate for stronger ADE prevention measures, allocate funding for research, and prioritize patient safety in health reform efforts. Together, we must act decisively before this silent epidemic claims even more lives.

For those interested in supporting this pressing initiative or learning more about how to engage with the Third Cause Campaign, visit thirdcause.org.

About the American Society of Pharmacovigilance (ASP)

The American Society of Pharmacovigilance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the reduction of adverse drug events, which pose significant risks to patient safety and quality of healthcare in the U.S. The organization works through collaboration and innovation to improve the healthcare system by identifying and addressing the challenges associated with ADEs. For additional information, you can explore www.stopadr.org.