§ Mr. David StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many adverse drug events were reported in each year since 1998. [119963]
§ Ms Rosie Winterton[holding answer 17 June 2003]: Reports of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to medicines are collated by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) through the spontaneous reporting scheme, the Yellow Card Scheme.
The table shows details of the number of reports of suspected adverse drug reactions received through the Yellow Card Scheme since 1998. Reports of suspected adverse drug reactions occurring in the United Kingdom are received from health professionals on a voluntary basis and from pharmaceutical companies on a statutory basis. Reports of suspected adverse drug reaction occurring outwith the UK are received from pharmaceutical companies on a statutory basis. The figures provided relate to the number of reports received. Some reports may contain more than one reaction. 477W
Number of UK reports received Number of foreign reports received Total number of reports received 1998 18,057 28,046 46,103 1999 18,483 28,339 46,822 2000 33,139 32,067 65,206 2001 21,465 39,990 61,455 2002 16,278 44,758 61,036 2003 16,725 111,710 118.435 1 2003 figures are reports received until end May. It is important to note that a report of a suspected adverse reaction does not necessarily mean that it was caused by the medicine.