The cost of pharmacovigilance: a time and motion study of an adverse drug reaction program

Abstract

Objectives: Adverse medication events are associated with a significant number of hospital admissions, and the appropriate recording of these events plays a vital role in medication safety. We set out to analyse the time and extrapolated cost in reporting adverse drug reactions (ADRs).

Methods: A time and motion study of the tasks involved in reviewing, assessing, reporting and communicating ADRs was done over a period of 2 months.

Key findings: We found a median of 69 min was needed in background work per ADR report.

Conclusion: The commitment involved in the support of this program is considerable and will encourage further refinement to streamline the process.

Keywords: adverse drug reactions; medication safety; pharmacists; pharmacovigilance.