Adverse drug reaction reporting in a pharmacovigilance centre of Nepal.

BACKGROUND Pharmacovigilance is the "science and activities relating to the detection, assessment, understanding and prevention of adverse effects or any other drug related problems". Nepal joined the international pharmacovigilance programme as a full member in 2007. KIST Medical College, Lalitpur, Nepal joined the national programme as a regional centre from mid-July 2008. Currently, the pattern and scope of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in Nepal remains unexplored. AIMS To observe and analyse the pattern of ADRs at KIST Medical College, Lalitpur, Nepal. METHOD A retrospective analysis of all ADRs reported to the centre from mid July 2008 to July 2011 was performed. Data was analysed for ADR severity, causality, and preventability. RESULTS A total of 113 ADR reports were obtained from various clinical departments. The maximum number of reactions was due to antimicrobials, followed by anti-hypertensives and NSAIDs. CONCLUSION Antimicrobials were the commonest group of drugs causing ADRs and the most commonly seen ADR was maculopapular rash followed by diarrhea and vomiting.