Despite 32,000 hospital admissions: Doctors hardly report side effects of medications

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Medicines are supposed to heal. They often do that too. But not always. In Switzerland, 32,000 people have to go to hospital every year due to side effects of medicines, according to a new study. In addition, there are 700 deaths every year. Study author Patrick Beeler puts things in perspective compared to the “Tages-Anzeiger”. “But not everyone died from the side effects. Those admitted to hospital were often in poor health.”

Serious side effects should actually be reported to the Swissmedic approval authority. In reality, this happens very rarely: only five percent of hospital admissions and 12 percent of deaths are reported. In international comparison, Switzerland is doing well. “In other countries, the reporting rate of hospital admissions is 0.6 to almost 5 percent.” Considering the many medications taken every day, this number is not worrying.

Don’t the doctors know anything about this?

It is unclear why the reporting obligation is not implemented as strongly. Beeler refers to a study from Germany which shows that some doctors are not aware of the reporting obligation. “The high cost of reporting, data protection concerns and fear of legal consequences were also mentioned. Some also criticized the lack of incentives,” he told the “Tages-Anzeiger”.

Beeler wants the reporting obligation to also be addressed in the training of young doctors. “I don’t remember this ever coming up during my studies.”

Despite the lack of reports. “The system works well,” says Beeler. Unknown side effects are rarely discovered. “Of course it would be better if more were reported. But ultimately there is no alternative to the reporting system as we know it.” (brother)

Source:Blick