National Adverse Drug Event Awareness Day is observed on March 24 every year. Everyone knows that the purpose of medicine is to cure diseases or to help stop harmful, unsafe, and unhealthy substances from entering our bodies. For instance, if you have an allergic reaction to something you eat, you will most likely grab a bottle of antihistamines. After a while, you will feel better. On the other hand, you might not feel better and have another side effect. This is an example of an adverse drug event. An adverse drug event (A.D.E.) is when someone is harmed or negatively affected by medicine. A.D.E.s account for 3.5 million doctor visits and 2.2 million hospital admissions in a year. It influences $136 billion in U.S. healthcare per year. Knowing this, it might be useful for us to understand a little bit more about A.D.E.s.
History of National Adverse Drug Event Awareness Day
National Adverse Drug Event Awareness Day was created in February 2021 by the American Society of Pharmacovigilance (A.S.P.). They declared that the holiday would be observed on March 24 annually. A.S.P. is a non-profit organization whose mission and duty is to promptly and adequately reduce the increased rates of suffering and fatalities that happen because of A.D.E. in the United States. A.D.E. includes allergic reactions to medication, medication errors, medication side effects, and medication overdoses. In total, 1.3 million emergency room visits are attributed to 46 million adverse drug reactions (A.D.R.) yearly. According to the Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research (A.H.R.Q.), A.D.E. is the “number one most costly and number one most preventable hospital-acquired condition.”
In 2019, pharmacies filled around 4.38 billion prescriptions. A.D.E. is the fourth-leading cause of death in the United States when it can be reduced by a lot just by letting the right people know. The A.S.P. encourages everyone to report an A.D.E. to MedWatch, the Food and Drug Administration’s (F.D.A.) Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program. Anyone can report by phone, by mail, or online. The data show that less than 10% of adverse reactions and events are actually informed and reported to the F.D.A.
On March 24, 2022, the A.S.P. gave great significance to spreading awareness not only about adverse drug events but also about what people can do about them. They launched the “Fourth Cause Campaign,” which reminds and supports people to share their personal experiences related to A.D.E. It also urges organizations, doctors, nurses, and all healthcare professionals to deliberate and talk about the work they do to reduce misfortunes caused by A.D.E. and master medication safety.
National Adverse Drug Event Awareness Day timeline
Data reports that 200,000 emergency room visits are related to antibiotics.
Direct oral anticoagulants contribute to about 49.3% of oral anticoagulant bleeding visits.
In February, National Adverse Drug Event Awareness Day commences.
On March 24, the American Society of Pharmacovigilance launches the “Fourth Cause Campaign.”
National Adverse Drug Event Awareness Day FAQs
What is the most common adverse drug event?
An allergic reaction is the most common type of antibiotic-associated adverse drug event, so minimizing unnecessary antibiotic use is the optimal way to decrease the risk of adverse drug events from antibiotics.
What are specific examples of adverse drug reactions?
Such adverse drug reactions include jaundice, rashes, anemia, kidney damage, and nerve injuries.
How can we prevent adverse events?
Physicians and doctors can thoroughly screen and assess patients to minimize the risk of adverse events. Another way is to engage patients in a specific care plan.
How to Observe National Adverse Drug Event Awareness Day
Learn about A.D.E.
Do more research on adverse drug events. You may think you know enough, but data and statistics are ever-changing. Keep up to date with the latest news on adverse drug events to be more aware of these so that you can act on them.
Report to MedWatch
The A.S.P. states and reinforces that it is important to report A.D.E. to MedWatch. They are equipped with not only information but also solutions to diminish the problem. Without reports, they won’t be able to detect how big of a problem it really is.
Spread awareness
Aside from just sharing your personal story of how you can prevent A.D.E., you can also do other things to spread more knowledge on A.D.E. Use the hashtags #ADEhero, #ADEchampion, and #ADEawareness when talking about it on social media. You never know, but you may be able to save a stranger or even a friend.
5 Essential Facts About A.D.E.
A.D.E. reactions are classified into six types
The types are augmented, bizarre, chronic, delayed, withdrawal, and failure.
A.D.E. causes high numbers of mortality
Mortality due to A.D.E accounts for a total of 100,000 deaths per year.
There are many allergic reactions
About 80% of emergency department visits for A.D.E. from antibiotics alone are because of allergic reactions.
Pain relievers cause death
Around 15,000 people died of overdoses from prescription opioids.
It is worse for those with age
Adverse drug reactions increase with age; being over 65 doubles the likelihood of being hospitalized compared to younger individuals.
Why National Adverse Drug Event Awareness Day is Important
We get to know more
We love this holiday because we learn more about the complicated topic of adverse drug effects. We get to understand their effects on humans and society. With this, we get to find solutions for it and lower the possible cases of A.D.E.
We get to care
We get to show that we care. Just one person cannot solve this problem, but it has to be a collective endeavor to raise awareness.
We get to save people
Once awareness is attained, something can be done about the situation. With more people talking about it and aiming to do something about it, solutions can be reached for a better outcome. You can save someone from the possibility of dying.
National Adverse Drug Event Awareness Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | March 24 | Monday |
| 2026 | March 24 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | March 24 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | March 24 | Friday |
| 2029 | March 24 | Saturday |
Log In With Google