[Suspected adverse drug reactions in 2004].

The research conducted involved tracking and analyzing the reports of suspected adverse drug reactions (SARs) in animals for the year 2004. These reports, mostly submitted by manufacturers and distributors, were reviewed, and the data was compared to the previous year in terms of the number of SARs and the animals and substances involved.

Overview of Reports Received

• The total number of reports received for the year 2004 was 62. These reports, covering suspected adverse drug reactions, were then analyzed to identify trends and patterns.
• The breakdown in terms of the animals affected and the active substances implicated in the reactions was found to be largely similar to those reported in the previous year.
• Most of the reports were submitted by the distributors or manufacturers of the drugs, but there was a slight increase in the number of reports submitted by practicing veterinarians. This suggests growing awareness and participation among vets in pharmacovigilance, the practice of monitoring the effects of medical drugs after they have been licensed for use, especially to identify and evaluate previously unreported adverse reactions.

Breakdown of Animals and Drugs Affected

• 72% of the adverse reactions reported were in small animals, notably cats and dogs, followed by cattle and horses.
• The drugs most commonly associated with these adverse reactions were antiparasitics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and immunologicals. These drugs are classified according to the international ATCvet classification system, which groups substances based on the organ or system on which they act and their chemical, pharmacological and therapeutic properties.
• An adverse reaction report from a foreign country about a fatality following an injection of an antibiotic preparation for cattle led to a risk assessment of the medication, which was also available in Switzerland.

Outcomes and Recommendations

• Following the review of the antibiotic injection for cattle, Swissmedic decided to modify the package insert to include a warning about the potential danger of inadvertent self-injection in humans. This action was taken to reduce the risk of similar accidents in Switzerland.
• The study’s authors express hope that there will be an increase in awareness and reporting by practicing veterinarians to the pharmacovigilance system, which would ultimately lead to improved animal health and safer veterinary practices.