WHO Database Keeps Track of Adverse Drug Reactions

The World Health Organization has launched VigiAccess, a database that allows users to view information on suspected adverse drug reactions collected by national drug authorities in more than 110 countries and spanning more than 100,000 products. 

All data is sourced from VigiBase, WHO’s global database for suspected ADRs from individual case study reports and maintained by the Uppsala Monitoring Centre for International Drug Monitoring in Sweden.

Information in the database may be influenced by factors including the extent of use of a medication, publicity and nature of the reactions, WHO warns. No information is provided on the number of patients exposed to a particular drug, so it’s impossible to calculate the frequency of adverse reactions.

Additionally, collection of data varies by country so comparisons of medicines can be misleading.

The database can be accessed at www.vigiaccess.org. — John Bechtel