Food and Drug Administration monitoring of adverse drug reactions

Abstract

Food and Drug Administration requirements for reporting adverse drug reactions (ADRs), processing of ADR reports, and actions in response to these reports are described. FDA requires that drug manufacturers report ADRs to the FDA Division of Epidemiology and Surveillance; 90% of the ADR reports received are from manufacturers. Of the remaining 10%, one third are from pharmacists. FDA regulations were revised in 1985 to specifically define reportable ADRs and procedures for reporting; manufacturers are required to report within 15 days reactions that are serious and unlabeled. For newly approved drugs, reports on ADRs must be submitted quarterly for three years; subsequently, annual reporting is required. Any increase in the frequency of serious, labeled reactions must be reported. Serious reactions not listed in the product labeling must be reported for products marketed before 1962 for which new drug applications or abbreviated new drug applications were not filed. ADR information received by FDA is coded into standard terms and entered in a computerized database for evaluation by reviewers. If an important reaction is suspected, the report is entered in a tracking system for further monitoring. ADR reports may result in requirements for changes in product labeling, "Dear Doctor" letters, requirement of further study by the manufacturer, or withdrawal of the product. Information about ADRs is communicated to health-care practitioners in product labeling and in the literature. Pharmacists are encouraged to report suspected serious and unlabeled reactions to FDA so that the medical community and the public can benefit from current information about drug safety.